Garcia: Refs picking on Real Madrid pal Beckham

Real Madrid midfielder Pablo Garcia says teammate David Beckham is picked on by referees because he is a "pretty boy".
 
Beckham was sent off during Sunday's 2-1 defeat against Valencia after reacting to referee Arturo Dauden Ibanez's decision to book him for dissent with sarcastic applause.

His dismissal came just 15 days after Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo controversially sent him off during England's 1-0 win against Austria and Garcia is certain that Primera Liga officials have singled him out for special treatment.

"I don't know why he was sent off. Maybe it's because he's a blond, pretty boy," claimed Garcia, who was booked after just 18 seconds of the game against Valencia.

"It was too harsh. There are tackles going in everywhere and he gets a red card for applauding - it's unbelievable."

"I can't understand what the problem was. I doubt he said anything because Beckham doesn't even speak Spanish that well and I can barely understand him on the pitch."

Real Madrid have confirmed they will appeal against the England captain's red card.

Meanwhile, England boss Sven Goran Eriksson says he has no problems with Beckham's discipline.

"I have not spoken to him about the dismissal. I don't know what happened but you do get sent off in football," he said. "He is going to be captain in Germany. These things happen in football, they always happen."

"It will always be like that in football. In other countries it is the same."