Fiery Becks must resist Spanish bait

On Sunday, the clash with Scaloni was startlingly similar to the one with Sakiri.

Beckham's challenge left both players rolling on the pitch, as team-mates became involved in an ugly bout of pushing and shoving.

Matters escalated at the end when Scaloni squared up to Beckham in the centre circle as the Englishman applauded the home fans following the win which kept Real top of the Spanish League.

Both men were booked for the initial scuffle. Beckham insisted later that, following instructions from the referee, he had offered his hand to Scaloni but the Argentine had refused his gesture.

However, Scaloni defended his decision. He said: ' The referee told us to shake hands and although he offered his hand it was a false offering. Then he made a gesture; he touched his genitals. Does that sound like a nice gesture to you? It was because of this gesture that I went after him after the end of the game.'

When England played Macedonia in a Euro 2004 qualifier in Skopje in September, West Bromwich midfielder Sakiri accused Beckham of similar behaviour after the pair had a running battle. Sakiri said: 'At the end I said to him: "Well done, let's shake hands", but he refused.

'He started grabbing his crotch and making rude comments. I said: "Why do you have to be so arrogant? We don't need this", but he just turned away.'

It must be remembered, however, that Beckham had been provoked by the Macedonian players and crowd. Fans burned the flag of St George on the terraces and Sakiri himself admitted he had made death threats against Beckham during the match.

Beckham remained cool enough to convert a secondhalf penalty that earned England a vital three points but he was involved in another fracas in their subsequent qualifier against Turkey in Istanbul.

On that occasion Turkey's former Aston Villa defender Alpay accused Beckham of butting him and even spitting at the badge on his shirt, an accusation which Beckham vehemently denied.

Alpay did not mention that he instigated the flare-up in the tunnel at half-time following his goading of Beckham after he had skied a penalty.

Beckham's behaviour may give England coach Sven Goran Eriksson cause for concern but Real fans are happy with his combative attitude, particularly since they feared the club had signed a prima donna. It has to be remembered that Beckham has been

sent off only twice in his career.

The first came for his infamous kick at Argentina's Diego Simeone in the 1998 World Cup and the second for a high challenge in Manchester United's World Club Championship clash with Necaxa in January 2000.

While there is evidence that shades of that petulance remain, Beckham is wise enough to know that life is easier when you are seen as the saint rather than the sinner.