Becks ... What's Your Opinion?

Last updated : 09 October 2005 By Footy Mad - Editor

Sven Goran Eriksson has defended David Beckham after he became the first England player to be sent off twice for his country. Eriksson also claimed England had played "brilliantly at times" in the tense and unconvincing 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory against Austria.

The England captain will miss Wednesday's final qualifier against Poland after being dismissed in the second half for two yellow cards for two fouls on Austrian defender Andreas Ibertsberger. The first came when he raised his arm in a clumsy challenge, the second when he chased back towards his own penalty area, only to see Ibertsberger fall theatrically.

"He was unlucky on both occasions," said Eriksson. "The first occasion I don't think it was a yellow card but the referee thought so."

To suggestions that Beckham was reckless to chase Ibertsberger, Eriksson added: "That's his job to defend there. Very few players have 85 England caps like Beckham. Being sent off twice is not a record he is proud of, but I didn't think he should have been sent off. As a professional, player, coach or a manager you know they (referees) do it right sometimes and they miss things sometimes and that's life."

Coincidentally, referee Luis Medina Cantalejo had sent Beckham off before, playing for Real Madrid in January 2004.

Eriksson, however, was backed by Austrian coach Willi Ruttensteiner.

"I don't think it was correct to send off Beckham," said Ruttensteiner. "It was the wrong decision by the referee. I have not spoken to Ibertsberger but he's normally a fair player and wouldn't try to dive. He was hurt by the booing which followed."