We’ve known forever that David Beckham is a “special” player.
Now we’re finding it out, all over again, from a new and not-expected direction.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Two full working business days have dawned and declined since The Pop Star’s Husband © hauled himself up on a barricade to challenge a member of the Los Angeles Riot Squad fan group, who weren’t exactly pleased to see the former England captain kitting out – eventually – for their favourite team.
It was halftime of a really rather good 2-2 friendly draw with Italian giants AC Milan. Becks, playing well, had been getting consistent stick from the Riot Squad, though other portions of the biggest crowd in Hope Depot Centre soccer history had been warming to his act as the opening half progressed.
Becks looked very angry as he motioned to one particular fan to come down and meet him. Becks’ second challenge came after he put his hands atop the barricade, and leapt.
Beckham claims he wanted to shake hands with the fan – who subsequently leapt down, was gang-nabbed by security, and now faces a lifetime ban from the building. As bizarre as this claim sounds, there is a video where Beckham – immediately after his barricade bump – has his hand extended in a handshake motion.
Hey! Maybe the guy’s telling the truth. The fan says Beckham challenged him to a fight – and it’s easy to see why. Up until the hand comes out – which the fan might not have seen because that’s when he would have been making his leap – Beckham looked nothing short of furious, and more than ready to duke it out.
Personally, I want to see a bit more composure out of my front-line international superstars. It’s not Galaxy fans don’t have a legitimate gripe, after the golden-haired globetrotter has shown no convincing interest whatsoever in playing for them this season.
My concern, tonight, is more with how MLS is reacting to the barricade leap.
It isn’t. At all.
The Galaxy – through head coach Bruce Arena – has issued a statement, reaffirming its desire to be loved by its most ardent fans. Not exactly an apology, though. More of a “this is what we’d write if we weren’t happy with Beckham, couldn’t say so publicly, oh and maybe league office gave us a hard nudge in the ribs after the game” kind of thing.
But if that’s all league office has got, honour is not yet satisfied.
A player went after the fans. A player leapt up against a barricade, in an escalating effort to go after the fans. If that player isn’t David Blessed Beckham, says here the league has already issued a fine and suspension, and forced a public apology.
Beckham, for his part, steadfastly says there is no need to apologize. Okay. Glad we sorted that, Becksie! Now, back to practice with yer! Good lad!
Good luck getting away with something like that if you’re any other player in MLS.
And I know this playing field’s not equal. I know there’s too much money and image at stake for MLS to sit out an aging, apathetic pseudostar who finally condescended to kick a ball or two in their backwater backyard.
I just wonder where the league’s pride is.
An interesting sidenote – as this latest round of Beckham bluster has swirled across Our Little League, I’m seeing a notable uptick in the number of people rising to defend it. Folks who never really had patience for MLS and its creeping oddities are stepping up to say Beckham is wrong, and wouldn’t it be nice if he just caught the next high-fashion junket ride back to Milan?
I include my own good self in that number.
Beckham is wrong. Again.
Don Garber should fine and suspend him, for the good of MLS just having any self-respect left at all.
A single game will do it. I’m sure the Riot Squad will be happy not to have David Beckham for one more match.
Onward!