David Beckham Confident of Winning Over Disenchanted La Galaxy Fans
David Beckham remains determined to make his mark in his second stint at Los Angeles Galaxy despite being abused by fans in Sunday's friendly against Milan
David Beckham remains committed to the Los Angeles Galaxy and determined to make his mark in his second stint in Major League Soccer despite being subjected to fierce abuse from a vocal section of the club's supporters during Sunday's friendly against Milan.
One fan particularly enraged Beckham – it is understood he verbally abused the player's family – prompting the former England captain to approach the LA Riot Squad, the club's hardcore support, as he left the pitch at half-time and try to engage the fan in conversation. The midfielder appeared about to jump over a barrier as the fan left his seat and ran to the front of the stand, but security staff ushered the player away.
"One of the guys was saying things that really wasn't very nice," said Beckham after the 2-2 draw with the club he had joined on loan last December. "It was stepping over the line. I said: 'You need to calm down and shake my hand', and he jumped over." He denied he ever considered vaulting the barrier to confront the fan, who was arrested for "trespassing".
Beckham had anticipated some disquiet having extended his loan spell at San Siro, thereby missing the first half of the current MLS season. Home fans at last Friday's league game at New York Red Bulls booed him, though the midfielder was encouraged that the majority of fans at the Home Depot Center were more gracious upon his second-half substitution against Milan.
The abuse and various banners – one of which said "Go Home Fraud" – were largely limited to the section frequented by the LA Riot Squad, whom he made a point of applauding on leaving the pitch. The 34-year-old intends to play the rest of the US season before exploring a possible return to Milan on loan in December – a critical move if he is to continue to represent his country before next year's World Cup finals. That will do little to convince the doubters at Galaxy, though he remains certain he can win over the dissenting voices.
One fan particularly enraged Beckham – it is understood he verbally abused the player's family – prompting the former England captain to approach the LA Riot Squad, the club's hardcore support, as he left the pitch at half-time and try to engage the fan in conversation. The midfielder appeared about to jump over a barrier as the fan left his seat and ran to the front of the stand, but security staff ushered the player away.
"One of the guys was saying things that really wasn't very nice," said Beckham after the 2-2 draw with the club he had joined on loan last December. "It was stepping over the line. I said: 'You need to calm down and shake my hand', and he jumped over." He denied he ever considered vaulting the barrier to confront the fan, who was arrested for "trespassing".
Beckham had anticipated some disquiet having extended his loan spell at San Siro, thereby missing the first half of the current MLS season. Home fans at last Friday's league game at New York Red Bulls booed him, though the midfielder was encouraged that the majority of fans at the Home Depot Center were more gracious upon his second-half substitution against Milan.
The abuse and various banners – one of which said "Go Home Fraud" – were largely limited to the section frequented by the LA Riot Squad, whom he made a point of applauding on leaving the pitch. The 34-year-old intends to play the rest of the US season before exploring a possible return to Milan on loan in December – a critical move if he is to continue to represent his country before next year's World Cup finals. That will do little to convince the doubters at Galaxy, though he remains certain he can win over the dissenting voices.
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