Plea For End To Rift
Wednesday, January 7, 2004

David Beckham, the England captain, has implored the FA to heal their rift with the national squad.

Threats of a players' strike over the Rio Ferdinand affair, irritation over appearance fees and the FA's handling of Alan Smith, who was called into the England squad only to be immediately deselected over allegations of bottle throwing, have soured relations between England's players and Soho Square.

And Beckham insisted: "The players and the FA have got to come together. It can't be us against them.

"I have been asked if I can have a meeting with them but obviously with me being in Madrid it is quite difficult. There will be one eventually, but we have got to be together on this."

Beckham added that while he accepts the responsibility of being England captain, liaising with the FA and fighting his team-mates' corner is not a duty he particularly relishes.

He said: "I am England captain so if there is anything going on with the players then I want to be involved because it is my job. But I don't like it and of course it is a burden, especially in the last couple of games.

"It's something that I don't enjoy doing but unfortunately it is part of being captain and you have to get involved in these things."

The England captain also defended best friend and international team-mate Gary Neville, who has been widely criticised for his outspoken reaction to the handling of the Ferdinand case.

Beckham said: "Gary has done what he thinks is right. He is a team man and Rio is a team-mate. Gary is sticking up for his team-mate and so are all the players at United."

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