Alpay: Beckham spat at me

Controversial Turkey defender Alpay today accused David Beckham of spitting on his jersey during last weekend's Euro 2004 qualifier and said "20 Beckhams" wouldn't amount to one Turk.

Alpay taunted Beckham after the England captain missed a penalty in the first half. Then, as the players left the pitch at half-time, he jabbed a finger in Beckham's face, triggering a melee between the two squads in the tunnel.

"After Beckham's penalty he swore at me and spat at our national uniform," Alpay said in an interview with Turkish television today. "If he had spat in my face, I wouldn't have been this angry.

"While I was going to the corridor, I told Beckham to be careful about his actions. Then he pushed me from behind. I didn't do anything and went to the locker room. When no one else came in, I went outside. Everyone was up against each other." Alpay said he would do anything for his national team. "For them to win I will fight, I will be dirty." He added: "Twenty Beckhams wouldn't make one Emre."

Alpay, excused from training by Aston Villa yesterday, reported for training today and spoke with manager David O'Leary. He said he would stay at Villa until his contract expired and added that he had received an offer from another Premiership team.

It is thought unlikely he will face Birmingham on Sunday.