Beckham raises a storm

EINDHOVEN, JUNE 13: David Beckham was back in the news for the wrong reasons on Monday after being pictured making an obscene gesture to English fans taunting him after the 3-2 defeat against Portugal. A section of fans hurled abuse at the players as they trudged off the pitch on Monday and the hot-headed Manchester United star, constantly abused by rival fans in the English League, responded by raising a finger.

The picture was published on the front page of many English newspapers on Tuesday. Hans Hultman, spokesman for European soccer8217;s governing body UEFA, said disciplinary action was possible, but as yet unlikely. 8220;If a player makes a rude gesture and it is reported by the referee, the referee8217;s assessor or anyone who sees it, he could be reported to the disciplinary committee.

8220;But we don8217;t expect that in this case because no one mentioned it after the game. However, it is possible.8221; English soccer officials placed the blame squarely on the supporters, accusing them of 8220;disgusting foul-mouthed abuse.8221; The English Football Association8217;s spokesman, Steve Double, said he would like to have seen the fans arrested.

8220;Although they were clearly English, they were not from a sector reserved for the England Members Club and we would like to disassociate ourselves from the sort of behaviour that they displayed,8221; he said.

8220;We will be making observations about the security arrangements when the players leave the pitch for future games in the tournament.8221;