JAMES KIRBY,
Sir, - If prior to the World Cup David Beckham had staged an argument with his manager; if he had cursed Sven Goran Erickson for not being English; if he had then quite properly been sent home for such indiscipline; if he had thereby jeopardised the team's progress though the finals; then he would be vilified by every England fan in the country. His moment of petulance in France '98 would have seemed as nothing in comparison.
I must admit, however, that Beckham has grown with such maturity and control as to inspire respect and admiration. He is now a true leader. Roy Keane, on the other hand, selfishly and deliberately let his team and his country down, and now merely displays arrogance and thuggery. As an Irishman living in England I am appalled at that, and the fact that many of my fellow countrymen support his posturing. I hope he never plays for Ireland again. - Yours, etc.,
JAMES KIRBY, Twickenham, England