Madrid’s coach defends Beckham

REAL MADRID coach Wanderley Luxemburgo has strongly defended the work of England captain David Beckham amid criticism from fans following the side’s recent poor results.

With Madrid eliminated from the Champions League by Juventus, and trailing bitter rivals Barcelona by 11 points in the race for the Primera Liga title, supporters began venting their frustration during last weekend’s 1-0 win over Malaga.

Ronaldo was insulted and allegedly responded by throwing a plastic bottle into the stands, while Beckham was also booed by a small section of the Bernabeu crowd, although his response was to hand his shirt to a supporter after the final whistle.

“Beckham is the player who works more than anyone here and he plays in a position that is not his,” said Luxemburgo, who reverted Beckham to a central midfield role on Sunday.

“He makes sacrifices for the team. He does not play just to sell shirts,” he said.

Wayne Rooney’s place in England’s World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland this weekend is not expected to come under threat despite a police investigation into an alleged nightclub brawl.

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed they are launching inquiries into claims by a 22-year-old student that Rooney struck him during an argument in a Manchester city centre bar on Monday night.

Police have, however, not yet made contact with the Football Association about whether they are interested in interviewing Rooney this week while he is on England duty.

Only if Rooney, who denies the accusation, is later found guilty of any offence will his England place be jeopardised, although the FA may have to review the situation if he is actually charged.

Rooney has, moreover, denied any involvement in the alleged 1am assault and is hoping that CCTV footage will prove his innocence.

A spokesman for Rooney said: “Wayne was approached by a man he had never met in a menacing and threatening manner. At no stage did Wayne respond. The man was immediately asked to leave the nightclub in the company of security guards.”

An official complaint was nevertheless lodged with police after Rooney was allegedly taunted over his controversial move from Everton to United last summer.

It is claimed the student screamed at the striker, calling him ‘treacherous’ and shouting ‘once a blue, always a blue’, in reference to his former Everton career.