Beckham banned for losing his cool
Reuters - Friday 06 July 2012, 00:20
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David
Beckham has been suspended for a game for "confrontational and
provocative behaviour" near the end of last week's loss to the
San Jose Earthquakes, Major League Soccer (MLS) said on
Thursday.
The actions by Beckham, who was also fined an undisclosed
amount, occurred during and immediately after his team's 4-3
loss and were considered unacceptable and detrimental to the
league's public image, MLS said in a statement.
With under a minute remaining in stoppage time, an impatient
Beckham kicked a ball San Jose's Sam Cronin, who was lying on
the pitch. The ball hit Cronin and referee Hilario Grajeda,
resulting in a yellow card for Beckham.
The infraction earned Beckham, who had to be separated from
opposing players after the final whistle, an automatic one-game
ban for yellow card accumulation, which he served earlier this
week.
The 37-year-old former England captain, who has been
ommitted from Britain's squad for the London Olympics, will
serve his one-game ban on Sunday when the Galaxy visit the
Chicago Fire.
Thursday's ban was the latest blow in what has been one of
the more trying weeks of Beckham's career.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid AC Milan and
England midfielder had been expected to be included as one of
the three over-age players in Stuart Pearce's team for the
London Games.
Chief London Olympic organiser Sebastian Coe is to discuss a
"Games time role" with the globally recognised sports figure,
who played an ambassadorial role in London winning the Olympics.