Editing David Beckham (section)

===1998 FIFA World Cup===
Beckham played in all of England's qualifying matches for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] and was part of the 23-man squad for the finals in France,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/CmpWC/CmpWC1998Squad.html|title=England in World Cup 1998 Squad Records|publisher=englandfootballonline.com|access-date=10 June 2007|archive-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205181400/http://www.englandfootballonline.com/cmpwc/CmpWC1998Squad.html|url-status=live}}</ref> but the team's manager [[Glenn Hoddle]] publicly accused him of not concentrating on the tournament,<ref>{{cite web |title=Beckham Blasts Hoddle |work=Daily Dispatch |date=29 June 1998 |url=http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/06/29/sport/HODDLE.HTM |access-date=5 October 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514100417/http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/06/29/sport/HODDLE.HTM|archive-date=14 May 2009}}</ref> and he did not start in either of England's first two games. He was picked for the third game against [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] and scored with a [[Curl (association football)|bending]] {{convert|30|yd|adj=on}} [[Free kick (association football)|free kick]] in a 2–0 victory, which was his first goal for England.<ref name="Colombia">{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/06/26/england_colombia/ |title=England wins 2–0 to gain 2nd-round match with Argentina |magazine=Sports Illustrated |accessdate=25 May 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529224519/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/06/26/england_colombia/ |archivedate=29 May 2008 }}</ref>

In the second round (last 16) of that competition, he received a [[Fouls and misconduct (association football)|red card]] in England's match against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]].<ref name="Argentina">{{cite news|first=Henry|last=Winter|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/9939779/World-Cup-1998-Argentina-2-England-2-Argentina-win-4-3-on-pens-match-report.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325055231/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/9939779/World-Cup-1998-Argentina-2-England-2-Argentina-win-4-3-on-pens-match-report.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 March 2013|title=World Cup 1998; Argentina 2 England 2, Argentina win 4–3 on pens: match report|date=1 July 1998|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=12 September 2014}}</ref> Beckham, after having been fouled by [[Diego Simeone]], kicked Simeone while lying on the ground, striking him on the calf.<ref name="Argentina"/> ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' was critical of the Argentinian's theatrics in that incident, stating that Simeone first delivered a "heavy-handed challenge" on Beckham, and then "fell like a ton of bricks" when Beckham retaliated.<ref name="sportsillustrated.cnn July 1998">{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/07/04/philjones_04/ |title=Long-awaited revenge: The Netherlands pay back controversial loss to Argentina |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=4 July 1998 |access-date=9 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101023753/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/07/04/philjones_04/ |archive-date=1 January 2012 }}</ref> Simeone later admitted to trying to get Beckham sent off by over-reacting to the kick and then, along with other members of his team, urging the referee to send Beckham off.<ref>{{cite web |title=Simeone admits trying to get Beckham sent off |publisher=Rediff Sports |date=19 May 2002 |url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2002/may/19wc3.htm |access-date=26 October 2005 |archive-date=19 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219141730/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2002/may/19wc3.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The match finished in a draw, and England were eliminated in a [[Penalty shootout (association football)|penalty shootout]]. Many supporters and journalists blamed Beckham for England's elimination and he became the target of criticism and abuse, including the hanging of an [[effigy]] outside a London [[public house|pub]], and the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' printing a [[darts|dartboard]] of him. He received death threats after the World Cup.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beckham's Darkest Hour |publisher=Article on official UEFA website |url=http://en.uefa.com/news/newsId=27844,printer.htmx |access-date=6 October 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060112062436/http://en.uefa.com/news/newsId%3D27844%2Cprinter.htmx |archive-date=12 January 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>