Beckham not off the hook

The Football Association will still consider taking action against David Beckham despite his apology and Sven-Goran Eriksson's insistence that the matter is closed.

Beckham, who missed England's 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Azerbaijan through suspension and injury, apologised before the game for his earlier admission that he deliberately set out to be booked during the match against Wales.

Beckham, who is back in Madrid being treated for a rib injury, moved swiftly to say he was sorry in the light of calls for him to be stripped of the national team captaincy.

Eriksson, who said he will deal with the matter either today or tomorrow after talking to Beckham, said he never considered taking the captaincy from the Real Madrid star.

FA chairman Geoff Thompson also said that the absent midfielder would remain as England captain.

"I should ever have doubted that Beckham should be captain in the future? No way," said Eriksson.

"I have never doubted that. That's good though and of course, that's finished it here, forever." However, that may not be the case as some senior figures within the FA still feel strongly that some kind of action should be taken against the player despite his apology and Eriksson's unwavering support.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter's critical comments have put the FA under some pressure to act and the matter will be discussed further at Soho Square over the next two days.