14 DAY TRIAL // David Beckham returned on Sunday to LA Galaxy after a five-month loan to AC Milan for a friendly match in front of a sold-out crowd. The reception he got the moment he set foot on the field was far from what he was probably accustomed to in the past, to the point that he got so furious with the fans and supporters that he literally challenged them to “come down here” for a direct confrontation, the Los Angeles Times informs.
The booing began even before the game started. Supporters all had banners and huge signs showing that they did not want Beckham back, many of which read either “Fraud” or “Repent.”
Several other reports in the media, as well as the photos taken on the occasion and made available, show that some fans even took it so far as to tell Beckham (by means of banners) that, “Here before, Here after, Here despite 23” and to “Go Home, Fraud,” with the number 23 crossed with red lines. Each time Beckham got the ball, the booing would be so loud it seemed like roaring, reports say.
At halftime, Beckham had had enough and headed over to the side of the field, ready to jump over an advertising board to make his way to some of the fans. The gesture, of course, prompted a man from the crowd to jump over a wall and head in Beckham’s direction as well.
Security staff intervened, carrying Beckham back to his locker room and the fan outside, arm twisted behind his back, where he was cited for trespassing. As one might imagine, this outburst did not put Beckham in better favors with his fans, with most disapproving of his lack of self-control.
“We boo a lot of players. They don’t come out and challenge our guys. We’re just here as fans. He was saying, ‘Come down here, come down here, come down here.’ The guy came down there.” Riot Squad member Ricardo Vigil of Los Angeles said of the incident. “He called the guy out. He called out a drunk fan. How stupid is that? He’s the player. He’s the professional. He should have kept himself under control. He didn’t.” another fan explained.
“One of the guys was saying things that really wasn’t very nice… It was stepping over the line. I said, ‘You need to calm down and come shake my hand,’ and he jumped over.” Beckham shared shortly after the incident. Witnesses close to him when the yelling and the pointing of fingers started are telling the media that “Come down here” said in a very harsh voice is not really the way to convince someone to approach you to shake hands.
Also in the audience was Beckham’s wife Victoria and their three sons, best friend Tom Cruise, actress Kate Beckinsale, singer Gary Barlow and music entrepreneur Simon Fuller. See below for the video of the confrontation.