David Beckham today issued a formal apology for the yellow-card furore which has engulfed the England captain and conceded he had been wrong to deliberately get himself booked against Wales.
Beckham admitted yesterday that he fouled Ben Thatcher in order to pick up his second caution of the qualifying campaign and be suspended for tonight’s match in Azerbaijan because he knew he would miss the game through injury.
Today, however, the England captain realised his error and has apologised to England fans, players, officials and head coach.
Beckham said in a statement released to the Press Association: “The greatest honour in my career was when I was made England captain, there is no better feeling in football than playing for your country.
“In an interview on Tuesday I was asked a question and made a frank and honest admission to counter the negative speculation.
“I now know that was wrong and apologise to the Football Association, the England manager, my team-mates and all England fans for this.
“I have also apologised personally to my manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.
“I know that as captain you are in a privileged position and must always abide by FIFA’s code of fair play, something which I have always done throughout my career.
“On this occasion I made a mistake. I hope that people will now focus on the match tonight and cheer the team on, as I will be doing.”