Photo by ISIphotos.com
We are three days removed from David Beckham's home season debut for the Los Angeles Galaxy, as well as the fan backlash that accompanied it, and it's still a bit mind-boggling that Beckham is really going to get away with his actions without so much as a slap on the wrist.
For those of you who missed it, Beckham approached Galaxy fans at halftime of the LA-AC Milan friendly on Sunday and clearly calls out a fan in the stands and invites him to come out of the stands. Beckham did so with anger on his face and little interest in actually having a chat with the fan. In fact, it isn't until after the fan is subdued by a gang of security guards that Beckham even puts the extended arm out (Has it ever taken more security guards to subdue someone wearing flip-flops? Just a thought). There was no, "Let him go guys", but more a "You fell for that one you clown" look on Beckham's face.
Now the fan is banned for life and Beckham didn't face so much as a disapproving sentence in the bland statement issued by Galaxy coach Bruce Arena about the incident. I suppose we should expect more from a club that still schedules its practices around Beckham's media appearances.
I was going to write about how Beckham should face punishment for his actions, but Ben Knight of Onward Soccer beat me to it, making a very good case for punishment for the Spice Boy. Let's be serious though, Beckham isn't going to be punished. That doesn't mean he shouldn't be.
Here are some more observations and notes on a laid-back soccer Wednesday:
Onyewu ready to give U.S. fans reason to celebrate
When Oguchi Onyewu takes the field for AC Milan tonight in its friendly against Club America, he will become the first second U.S. national team field player to suit up for one of the top clubs in one of Europe's top three leagues (Jonathan Spector being the first with Manchester United in 04/05). The symbolism won't be lost on U.S. fans who will finally have someone they can call their own among the world's elite.
Yes, Tim Howard paved the way during his tenure as a starting goalkeeper for Manchester United, but Onyewu's move to Milan signals something else. It shows an American player other than a goalkeeper playing with the world's best.
There is plenty of pressure on Onyewu, not only from the club that just signed him, but also from the fans who are counting on him to represent this country well and blaze a trail for American players to follow. Something tells me he's up to the challenge.
Long road back for Busch
Pop quiz: Who was the back-up goalkeeper to Kasey Keller in the U.S. national team's 2-1 World Cup qualifying loss to Mexico at Estadio Azteca on Easter of 2005? The answer? Jon Busch.
More than four years ago Busch was enjoying a stellar MLS career with the Columbus Crew and was starting to get national team looks. A torn knee ligament cost him most of the 2005 and 2006 MLS seasons before he spent 2007 as a back-up with the Chicago Fire. In 2008, Busch enjoyed a stellar comeback year, being named MLS goalkeeper of the year and earning his first national team call-up in almost four years last January.
Busch will be back on the U.S. squad for Thursday's Gold Cup semifinal and while he isn't likely to start, the fact that he's worked his way back onto the national team radar screen speaks volumes about the scrappy 33-year old.
Arnoux to go pro
A year after losing potential draftees Marcus Tracy and Mike Grella to Europe, MLS looks set to lose out on another top prospect.
Sources tell SBI that Wake Forest forward Cody Arnoux is preparing to bypass his final year of eligibility to pursue a professional career in Europe. An All-American who led Wake Forest in goals last season with 17, Arnoux is said to also be working on securing an Italian passport through family, which would make a move abroad easier. Everton has been mentioned as one of the clubs interested.
Arnoux has spent the summer playing for the PDL's Carolina Dynamo.
Someone said it above and they are exactly on it, Beckham’s punishment is that he is still here. I think that’s funny because clearly it puts him in jeopardy of making the English team. Haha Beckham, enjoy your punishment…
Riot Squad, may the booing continue, and next time I hope you get a crack at him. If he wants you to bring it on, then bring it on.
I love how, because it’s Beckham, everyone who wants him to be in the wrong completely ignores the fact that security at the scene all confirm the “shake hands” statement, and everyone just assumes they’re liars, not honest, hardworking guys.
Then in the picture with this very column, he’s quite obviously proferring a handshake towards the guy, which matches with what he claims to have said.
So, in reality, this might well be a case where Beckham did nothing wrong other than ask a fan to calm down.
But noooo, it has to be a conspiracy to protect him from league sanction.
Yeesh.
No need for a suspension.
Simple solution: Some MLS player, preferably one making 12,900 a year, “takes one for the team” and breaks Rent Boy Beckham’s leg at the first opportunity. It’s not like you have any chance of making money in MLS, so who cares if you get suspended? Leave a mark — stud-shaped — on his shin!
Lifetime ban? I wonder how that works? Do they have wanted posters by the entry gates? Maybe TV cameras with face recognition software. Maybe finger print checking as fans enter the stadium.
This is total crap. If Beckham really wanted a piece of him he would have gone into the stands like a hockey player would. Standing on the field and challenging him to come on down is a fairly safe situation for the Golden one. The minute the guy left the stands security would have jumped him. Beckham sounds like a punk to me and if the league had any guts, they would suspend or fine him for what he did.
I’m just getting sick and tired of hearing about him and just wish he’d go away already. He’s turned LA into a circus and he’s leading the team and the league around by the nose. I actually respect Donovan for standing up and saying what many are thinking.
Beckham – GO HOME
@Posted by: Jones71 | July 22, 2009 at 02:40 PM
I wouldn’t condone the fans actions. (though Beckham did tell him to come down and that makes the waters a bit muddier as it is an explicit ‘invatation’ to cross the barrier. I mean if you jump on stage at an arena concert you get tossed. However, once the performer tells you to come on stage you are perfectly able and allowed to do so)
That point aside, you seem to completely ignore and forgive Beckham for behavior that is BEYOND unacceptable. If this was Rico Clark doing this, he would be suspended for 5-10 games. Both the fan and Beckham behaved in a manner unbecoming of adults. (much less children)
Oh and btw, every report out of LA including verbal interviews with AEG have said the guy is only banned for 10 years. Still a long time but it’s not life. Just long enough to make sure Beckham and his dog and pony show have left town.
Beckham is a Tool. He’s here for the money and fame. Why else is he going back to Milan to play his football and to please the England manager?
you guys can pressure the front office of the LA Galaxy by either calling them and/or emailing them concerning the unjustification that have occurred. It may have no effect on the outcome but if done in collective effect, it makes it be known that the fan cannot be disrespected like this.
My view: Both deserve some kind of punishment. Why is it that both extremes are implemented? I find it unfair that one gets a lifetime ban while the other recieves nothing while the “guy” that recieved nothing was the same guys who invited the guy to confront him.
What I don’t understand is why some people seem to take the Beckham saga so personally. He came, he left, he came back… all with the Galaxy’s blessing… you don’t have to like him, don’t have to hate him, don’t even have to think twice about him… so why get so upset? Passion for a sport makes sense… passionate feelings about a player’s behavior – not so much.
Have to agree with that first comment, although a lifetime ban is a tad harsh to be fair. The fan was a bloody idiot though.
Not sure what to make of Beckham in all of this: very odd behaviour, whatever his intentions. UK press are wetting themselves on this one.
Hey folks, I’ve magnified the image above and not only is Becks extending a hand of friendship, the look on his face is clearly one of beseeching, pleading even, that the young man at the bottom of the pile be set free…..
so who is next to get called out by becks???
I HOPE ITS ME,
hey brit see you at RFK
I think Ives’ point is that in any other league, Beckham would have been fined for his actions.
—————————————–
This.
Also, for the people that think “Beckman” got the better of the fan he was calling out. . . sorry. Wrong fan. Someone else decided to take up that offer.
I’m glad that LARS stuck to there guns and gave it to the royal tool.
I still despise the Galaxy, but I’ve found a reason to respect the Riot Squad. At least some fans in LA see through the pathetic Californicating circus that the Galaxy has steadily become. Is the Galaxy a marketing incubator that rents celebrities to help sell apparel, or a real sports club? I think we know the answer (thanks AEG and MLS).
Everton is loving Americans lately – Peterlin, Howard, a potential interest in Altidore and Dempsey… We need a new nickname if they get a few more on their squad – like Fulhamerica a few years back.
Posted by: Limo | July 22, 2009 at 02:44 PM
How about “second best on Merseyside always and forever”?
MLS continues to make a mockery of themselves by not punishing terrible referee performances and letting Becks do whatever he wants. It is now clear that MLS should have provided more guidance to the Gals management when Becks arrived to help keep things in perspective. They didn’t, Beckham and his people took over and made the Galaxy a joke. The team is still recovering. This is a case where Beckham should be punished for engaging a fan. Would Brian Ching, who was punished for a twitter, be allowed to go over and challenge a fan? No. Beckham should be allowed either.
Bryan Cox was fined for flipping off Buffalo Bills fans, even though they obviously deserved it. Jermaine O’neal was punished (fine and suspended I believe) for knocking out a fan who ran onto the court and confronted him and his teammates, and O’neal didn’t even provoke the guy…
This is the norm, and the fact that Beckham wasn’t even given a finger wagging shows that nothing has changed in L.A, or the MLS w/ regards to how Beckham is treated…
As a true fan of the MLS(and often times its defender), this kind of double standard makes me wish that Beckham would just go away. I think he is playing hard this year, but his presence just constantly creates situations – whether intentional or not – where it’s all about him, and not at all about the team…
I think I found my own answer about Mathis and Diallo. Diallo had a 4 game suspension and Mathis had a $500 fine.
SeattleStan-
The point of the fine is to remind the player not to engage the spectators; mostly because it is detrimental to the image of the League. I suppose you could make the argument that this incident didn’t harm the league’s image, but that’s a bit of a dicey one to make.
Ives,
My memory is hazy and I’m hoping that you remember better than me, but hasn’t there been a couple of instances where MLS players tried to get to fans previously? I want to say Clint Mathis and Mamadou Diallo both tried to get at fans? Did the league hand any ban or fine to the players when this happened?
I have never been a big fan of David Beckham. However, I really agree with a few of those that have already posted and side with Beckham. Had he jumped up into the stands a la Artest, sure, punish him, ban him, whatever. He totally played the guy. Don’t get me wrong, I love yelling crap at officials and players that I’m not a big fan of, especially when they’re within earshot, but as long as you keep it at that, you won’t be getting a lifetime ban. But what did that guy expect was going to happen when he jumped onto the field? Its the same thing with morons that throw bottles or other crap on the pitch. I have absolutely no sympathy for this fan. Does it make Beckham seem like the nicest guy in the world? Nope. Any punishment to Beckham’s “public image” will vastly outweigh any silly fine the MLS might give him.
I’m on Beckham’s side on this one. Fans buy tickets and think they can do and say what they want. I think the fans who got hit by Ron Artest of the Pistons deserved it. If security can’t put these clowns in their place let the players do it–then they might think twice about cursing out (and worse) guys who are in better shape and bigger than they are–which would get you a beat-down in any bar in America.
This Beckham incident is really disappointing. Just as I was getting over the fact that Beckham is clearly a fraud and not the person his beloved world fan club and he says he is, he does this. Now I’d like to support the Galaxy but this guy is right in the middle of them acting like he is king of the world and daring anyone to say otherwise. They need to get rid of him as soon as possible.
Enough of this soft spoken, good looking, “I really am a swell guy” garbage. I think this guy is actually a little narcissistic. Any charity or good he does is probably to help him maintain his “Aren’t I great, and doesn’t everyone love me?” image.
What was done to this fan is disgraceful. The fanboys here defending the actions against the fan should be ashamed. How dishonest is it to compare this with your typical fan charging a player on the field? The self proclaimed King of the World representing the team who owns the stadium invites you, even tells you to come down onto the field, and this is what he gets? Disgraceful. Some people even seem to be suggesting that HE should have known better, NOT Beckham, who I guess is not responsible, let alone professional, about anything.
Yes, it’s disappointing, but Beckham needs to go. All of this fawning and turning the other cheek just because a guy is a great player should stop. What a great role model David Beckham is.
Alright fanboys bring it on!
(You better watch though, maybe you should know better than to respond to my invitation. When you respond I might have site security ban you for life while I mock you.)
I hate to see Arnoux leave my Deacs, but he’s certainly got the talent to be a very good pro. Best of luck to him!
Everton is loving Americans lately – Peterlin, Howard, a potential interest in Altidore and Dempsey… We need a new nickname if they get a few more on their squad – like Fulhamerica a few years back.
Posted by: Limo | July 22, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Amerton? Everica? Take your pick.
Why is anyone surprised that Arena issued a “bland” statement.
The guy is the epitome of the word bland.
How do places enforce this anyway? Do they have like “banned for life” board that the ticket takers look at before every game? Do they do aging sketches so they know what the banned person will look like in 5 years? Dude should just lose a few pounds and grow a beard.
DJV-
I was under the impression that LARS was “organized” such that internal “bans” have very little meaning.
The Riot Squad.
Tear Gas or just plain old tears?
boo-hoo. your idiot fan got what he deserved. end of.
dude got banned from LARS, not HDC/Galaxy games
Well said Jeff. Perspective is key.
Brett- “Punishing him for calling out a fan is ridiculous. He has the same right as any other human being to express his opinions. If the fans are all booing him, why shouldn’t he be able to taunt them, knowing that they can’t respond without being punished?
All these imagined responsibilities he has as some kind of “soccer ambassador” are just silly.”
the only “rights” he has while on that field are the ones the MLS gives him, and he was the one that made up the “imagined responsibilities”.. yes the fan is stupid, but that doesnt change the fact that Beckham is a d-bag who’s “word” can be taken with a grain of salt. Hes like A-Rod, I just dont understand how ppl can like him so much outside of how he plays; both are just shallow d-bags
I don’t get all the fuss….the photo above clearly shows Beckham offering his hand in friendship…
===
DEAR SIR:
I AM A NIGERIAN PRINCE IN NEED OF YOUR A$$ISTANINCE…
Brett,
That was the best, most eloquent post I’ve read in a long time. Well said.
I don’t get all the fuss….the photo above clearly shows Beckham offering his hand in friendship…
the fan who jumped down isn’t banned by LARS, LA Galaxy or HDC. that needs to stop being reported.
Listen folks, I never said the fan was blameless or shouldn’t be punished. My point, which I think most people got, was that Beckham played a part in things escalating and should be punished for that. Pretty simple really.
I will say that it’s interesting to find people (Cali-based at that) who have never posted here before coming to the defense of Beckham of all people. Interesting indeed.
Even if he isn’t suspended, which I realize was a pipe dream, could it have hurt the Galaxy to reprimand him in the statement it released? That may not sound like it means much but I have a feeling Galaxy fans would have felt a little better about things of the club actually acknowledged that Beckham was wrong.
David Beckham’s comment about Donovan’s unprofessional manner of criticism now holds no weight (since he was more than a bit unprofessional in this incident). Seems like some over-sensitivity and lack of ability to face up to his short-comings are whats really behind those comments. People call LD sensitive….but looks like he’s got some competition with Becky.
I gotta side with Beckham on this one. He played that poor sucker like a fiddle. Kudos to him for doing it too. If he can’t have everyone love and worship him, why not unite everyone in disgust? MLS is thanking David Beckham for this, I guarantee it.
Punishing him for calling out a fan is ridiculous. He has the same right as any other human being to express his opinions. If the fans are all booing him, why shouldn’t he be able to taunt them, knowing that they can’t respond without being punished?
All these imagined responsibilities he has as some kind of “soccer ambassador” are just silly. If he let down anyone, it’s Galaxy fans… The rest of MLS is probably having a nice laugh along with Beckham instead of lashing out with righteous indignation.
This idiot fan, who was dumb enough to hop down to the field to physically confront one of the planet’s biggest stars in the midst of event security, deserves his lifetime ban. If he wants to blame anyone, I would suggest blaming Monica Seles. She showed the world why athletes need to be protected from fans, even inconspicuous ones.
MLS has never had more exposure than they do after this. People need to relax. If Beckham wasn’t in the league then they would go back to anonymity.
Friedel was at Liverpool for a few years. Keller played with Spurs – how much bigger do you want than that, ha ha.
(SBI-Al, what part of “Field Player” did you not understand?)
MLS holds the player contracts, not the individual teams. They can fine/suspend anyone for anything, regardless if it’s an MLS match or the 3rd place game for the Pan-Pacific.
Has it crossed any mind that Beckham invited the fan to the field. Obviously, there intentions were otherwise but based on the video and Beckham press conference were he said that he wanted to shake the hand of the fan, I believe that this fan has every right to take the life time ban to court. Based on Beckham’s interview the fan would have a legitimate case. Beckham really messed up by trying to cover himself by clearly stating that he intended a clear action with the fan after motioning him to come to on to the field.
I am sure it won’t come to that but it is just a thought
Jones71 – you are absolutely wrong when you say ‘It was not an MLS game so MLS has no jurisdiction over possible punishment on Beckahm (remember when Cuauhtemoc Blanco went crazy at a US Open Cup game? Yeah, MLS couldn’t do anything about that either because they have no jurisdiction.’
MLS can indeed fine or suspend a player for on-field and off-field infractions that are detrimental to the MLS image – it doesn’t matter if it is a league game or not. Check the collective agreement. Moroever, MLS did fine Blanco $7500 for that incident. (http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/07/cuauhtemoc-blan.html)
Beckham could earn a lot of brownie points by making a public gesture towards the Riot Squad and LA Galaxy fans and requesting the HDC to remove the lifetime ban on Mr. Paige.
It would at least make him seem like a little bit less of a d-bag, which would help him with the jersey sales…
ONYEWUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU.
“Beckham may be good at corner kicks and free kicks, but he needs to take more throw-ins because he is a right tosser.
Posted by: chupacabra | July 22, 2009 at 03:56 PM ”
Priceless!
I want a Free Josh Paige t-shirt.
In green on gold.
Size M.
Thank you.
I don’t understand the people who say this league is better off without Beckham.
==
Just look at the monetar…. I mean, enterta…. I mean, fooballing value.
Yeah… That’s the ticket.
I thought Beckham was nothing but “professional” in his own words? Wierd because nearly every professional game I have been to regardless of sport the players ingore the fans and dont get into shouting matches with them.
So ives, what would have happen if the fan wanted to just shake Beckham’s hand as he suggested. Would he have been banned even though he was invited by the player to come down?
I think both Beckham and the player deserve to be punish for their behaviors. I wonder if this will buy Beckham more boos on his next game.
If Beckham goes into the stands after a fan, he should be disciplined. If he throws something into the stands (a la Drogba), reaches across and slaps someone… discipline him. Otherwise the name calling, verbal attacks, etc should kind of be a two-way street. I don’t have a problem with him hollering at some guy in the stands – especially if he’s just responding to what’s said to him. Fans hope to get under players’ skins all the time and affect their performance – if the player can’t handle it and it affects his play or causes him to do something stupid, everyone thinks that’s great. If a player gets under a fan’s skin and the fan can’t handle it and does something stupid… turn about is fair play. What if a player you liked had done it, then walked away smiling… would your reaction be the same?