Sakiri backs off from Beckham death threat

Macedonia's Artim Sakiri has made light of David Beckham's claims he threatened the England captain during Saturday's game.

Beckham said the midfielder told him during Saturday's 2-1 win in Skopje: "You won't get out of here alive."

The England captain said he and other players were spat at, while before kick off home fans burned an English flag on the terraces.

But Sakiri has hit back, claiming there was no danger to the England players in the hostile atmosphere.

He told the Daily Mirror: "People say things like 'I'll kill you' during the games, but that doesn't mean it's going to happen.

"Did anything happen to Beckham? Did he die?"

Sakiri also criticised the way English players handle themselves in the domestic game, adding: "Players in England swear all the time during matches - every second word is a swear word."

The Macedonian refused to discuss his dispute with Beckham at the final whistle, but insisted he was trying to congratulate the Real Madrid man.

He added: "I just wanted to congratulate England on their victory.

"I didn't manage to talk to Beckham after the game and I don't want to talk to him now."