Eriksson considers Beckham action

[DVTimes]

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson could take action after skipper David Beckham's revelation that he deliberately got booked against Wales.
Beckham got booked on purpose so he would be suspended against Azerbaijan - knowing he was already out injured.

Eriksson said: "I'll deal with that after this game. I know what I'll do on Thursday or Friday so wait until then.

"I don't think it's fair on the team if we're talking about a player that is injured and suspended."

Beckham went into Saturday's World Cup qualifier knowing a second booking of the campaign would see him serve a one-game ban.

It was in a clash with Thatcher that Beckham broke his ribs, and he earned the booking for a retaliatory challenge on the Wales left-back shortly after.

Beckham told The Daily Telegraph: "It was deliberate. I knew I will be out for a few weeks, so I thought 'Let's get the yellow card out of the way'."

Fifa said it would take no action until it received an official complaint.

A Fifa spokesman said it did not comment on reported statements in the media, and would have to be informed formally, such as from an association, to look into the matter.

Beckham added: "I'm sure some people think that I have not got the brains to be that clever.

"But I do have the brains. I could feel the injury. So I fouled (Ben) Thatcher."

Wales boss Mark Hughes refused to condemn Beckham for his admission.

"It surprises me that in the reality of a game and the hurly-burly of a game that you can think that clearly. Is it that easy to be that pre-meditated?" he said.

"If it was done for the reasons being claimed, it is his decision.

"I'm sure no-one went out to deliberately hurt anyone, I think Ben has actually said that.

"I don't think there was any malice in the challenge and I don't think it's something we should get too upset about."

Beckham was unhappy at the widespread criticism over his spat with Manchester City defender Thatcher.

Virtual Replay: 3D animation of Beckham's goal for England
The Real Madrid midfielder believed it took the shine off his part in Saturday's 2-0 win at Old Trafford, in which he scored a spectacular long-range goal.

"It's frustrating," he said. "Saturday was a positive game for me, and I scored one of my best goals ever.

"But some of the headlines were 'Great goal but yellow card again'. People pick up on the negatives and that's sad. Some people have other agendas.

"I'm sorry I am not going to Azerbaijan... I wished the [England] players luck - it's a tough place to go. But we have the team to do well there."

He added that he would not be attempting too swift a return from his latest injury, especially after his experiences at Manchester United where he suffered the same injury.

"There is no treatment. I can't go running or training because it hurts too much," he said.

"The last time I broke my ribs, (United manager) Alex Ferguson put me on a bike after two weeks and I couldn't do it. I couldn't breathe. There is nothing you can do apart from rest.

"I heard Madrid want me training by Wednesday but that is not possible.

"I will be out for four to five weeks. I just want to get back playing, to get Real back up the table.

"I would love to play in England's friendly against Spain but I will struggle to make it."

Beckham's place in England's starting line-up in Azerbaijan is expected to go to Owen Hargreaves, with striker Michael Owen set to captain the side.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ls/3735276.stm