Japanese Find No Evidence Of Being Spat On
Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Japanese soccer authorities have found no evidence to indicate that David Beckham was spat at during a friendly match between Real Madrid and Tokyo Verdy earlier this week, according to a media report Wednesday.

Beckham was seen gesturing angrily at former Japan international Kazuyuki Toda during Monday's match, in which Tokyo Verdy snared an upset 3-0 over the Spanish powerhouse.

"Toda spat in my face. That in life is horrible, but in football no players like that," Japanese sports daily Nikkan Sports quoted the Madrid midfielder as saying after the match.

Kyodo News reported Wednesday that J-League officials had studied video footage of the match and found no evidence of a spitting incident.

Toda also claimed his innocence in a meeting with Verdy officials, Kyodo said.

"He was the one that kicked me. Spit flew, and I think that's why he was angry, but it wasn't me," Toda was quoted by Sports Nippon as saying after Monday's match.

Neither J-League or Tokyo Verdy officials were available for immediate comment.

Real Madrid plays J-League club Jubilo Iwata in Tokyo on Wednesday before wrapping up its Asian tour with a match against a Thailand All-Star team at Bangkok on Friday.

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