Alpay claims Beckham spat on crest

Turkey defender Alpay today claimed England captain David Beckham spat on the badge of his national team shirt during the ill-tempered Euro 2004 qualifier in Istanbul.

The Aston Villa player has come under fire from England players and the media since returning to the country after he goaded Beckham when the Real Madrid midfielder missed a first-half penalty.

Beckham then appeared to catch Alpay in the chin with his head.

That was followed by the Villa man poking Beckham in the face as the players made their way off the pitch at half-time.

However, he insisted Beckham had provoked him and told Sky Sports News: “Number one, Beckham headbutted me and number two he spat at me. If the spit had hit me on the head I wouldn’t have been annoyed but it hit the crescent and the star on my Turkey shirt.

“I really wanted to retaliate but I didn’t and that’s the only reason why I was annoyed.”