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Rooney And Beckham Almost Came To Blows In 2005 Dressing Room Bust Up

Rooney And Beckham Almost Came To Blows In 2005 Dressing Room Bust Up

The pair had to be pulled apart after England's defeat to Northern Ireland

Joe Baiamonte

Joe Baiamonte

At the time, it was considered one of England's most embarrassing defeats. Nowadays, it's just another footnote in an increasingly long list of disappointments involving the English national team, but the Three Lions' 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland during a World Cup qualifier at Windsore Park in 2005 was best remembered not for the absolutely dire performance Sven-Goran Eriksson's men put in that night, but rather for a furious bust up between Wayne Rooney and David Beckham.

The Manchester United striker and his captain exchanged words during half-time and ended up being pulled apart in the dressing room after Beckham had initially told Rooney to calm down during a frustration laden performance from the then 19-year-old.

Rooney committed a series of fouls and could be seen hurling abuse in every direction, when England captain Beckham instructed the United forward to control his temper.

Beckham's advice didn't go down well with Rooney, who promptly told his captain to 'fuck off'.

Then, as the teams left the pitch following the half-time whistle, Rooney, according to one source close to the situation, called Beckham a 'flash bastard' behind the England captain's back, which Beckham heard.


"Fuck off, Dave. Just cos you can grow your own hair, you flash bastard". Images: PA

The Guardian reported at the time, "Then, when the England players were going up the tunnel at half-time, Rooney said something about Beckham being a 'flash bastard' behind his back, which Beckham heard.

"It spilled over into the dressing-room. When they got back in there, Beckham went for him [Rooney] and they squared up."

The pair didn't end up coming to blows, as several players separated them before manager Sven Goran-Eriksson arrived, although his assistant Steve McClaren was given the same 'fuck off' treatment by Rooney than Beckham had previously received.

"Two or three of the lads, including Rio Ferdinand, stepped in to separate them. No blows were thrown, but they did square up to each other. This happened in front of the whole team, but before Sven-Goran Eriksson had arrived for the half-time discussion. Steve McClaren [Eriksson's assistant] got involved but Rooney told him to fuck off as well. He only calmed down when Sven arrived."

Rooney's yellow card during the game in Belfast earned him a suspension from England's World Cup qualifier, against Austria. He would later fly out to Madrid to apologise to Beckham for his behaviour and the pair buried the hatchet.

England would qualify for the World Cup in Germany, that following summer, where they would once again underperform before being eliminated by Portugal on penalties in the quarter-finals, following Rooney's sending off and that wink by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Football, David Beckham, England, Wayne Rooney