Some brains at last from Beckham

Had Beckham and the people who advise him given more thought to the consequences of this extraordinary revelation, they would surely have realised that Eriksson needed to be informed.

Apart from being a matter of simple courtesy, it might just have helped Eriksson defuse a situation that was bound to rumble on in the media. The hope is now that the apology will stop FIFA becoming involved.

I'm not sure that even now I believe Beckham's claim that his tackle on Ben Thatcher was premeditated. He could easily have overcooked his tackle and, as a consequence, might have been sent off. Not so clever!

Whatever the truth, it was hardly the behaviour we expect from the England captain. Beckham has previously acknowledged his responsibilities in this area and he knows he's a role model for all young footballers.

By making his initial announcement, Beckham wanted the world to know that he was a smart cookie and not the petulant superstar portrayed in some of the tabloids following his reckless challenge at Old Trafford. The Real Madrid 'Galactico' fully expected to be immortalised for his glorious goal against Wales but instead found that his lunge at Thatcher and subsequent booking had attracted derision. In the Beckham context, derision is not cool. All this, of course, would have been academic had he simply accepted the criticism and kept quiet about it.

But no. Miffed by the reaction of some, Beckham felt it necessary to apply some favourable 'spin' of his own.

Eriksson, of course, is well aware of the value of favourable spin but he's just as aware of the damage of unfavourable publicity. He will be concerned by this latest Beckham episode, following just days after new allegations about his private life.

Eriksson has championed Beckham's cause during his four-year reign as England coach and still has to decide whether to take action.

Even after this apology, there are bound to be senior figures at the FA who will want Eriksson to consider Beckham's continuing suitability as England captain.

Is he still the right man for the job? Or is it now time for Steve Gerrard or Frank Lampard to be considered for the longer term? Eriksson has a lot to think about and, if he's honest with himself, must know that even favourite sons require a rap across the knuckles from time to time.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has now joined the debate and wants FA chairman Geoff Thompson to investigate the matter and report back to him. "It's not a matter for FIFA to speak about sanctions to a player of a national team," Blatter said.

"I have told my colleague Geoff Thompson that he should go into this matter and report it to us. We are concerned at the attitude, the possibly bad attitude, of the player. I am sure the FA will take the adequate measures.

"It is something that hurts me because Beckham is an ambassador and a figure for the youth of the world.

" I still have difficulties in understanding that he deliberately did this and then declared it. I'm really disappointed."

At least this afternoon's apology will have calmed these troubled waters. If nothing else, Beckham will have learned that, as a humble footballer, he is in no position to walk on them.