Galaxy Lifts Lifetime Ban of Beckham Abuser

• AP , Tuesday, July 28, 2009 4:02 PM

The Los Angeles Galaxy has rescinded the lifetime ban it originally imposed on a fan who jumped onto the field during an ill-tempered exchange between David Beckham and the home crowd. The unidentified Galaxy supporter leaped from the "Riot Squad" fan section onto the field at halftime of Beckham's return to the Home Depot Center during a July 19 friendly against AC Milan. Beckham, who made what appeared to be an inciting gesture at the booing fans, later said that he was merely inviting the fan on the field for a hand shake.

Beckham himself advocated for the ban to be rescinded, according to a source from the club who asked not to be named. Katie Pandolfo, the Home Depot Center's general manager, said the Galaxy asked the stadium complex's management to reconsider the ban, noting Beckham shared responsibility for the fan's actions. "When David Beckham motioned to the fan to come down to the field to shake his hand, he was unaware of the stadium's policies regarding fans who enter the field of play," Pandolfo said in a statement. "Therefore, we have decided to remove the life ban issued to the individual."

Major League Soccer fined the superstar $1,000 for pointing and shouting at the fans on his way to the locker room. The Galaxy will face FC Barcelona on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl, with more than 70,000 tickets already sold for the friendly. The team plays its next MLS match at the Home Depot Center on Aug. 15 against the Seattle Sounders.

 

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