According to Reuters, Major League Soccer announced today it has fined L.A. Galaxy star David Beckham $1,000 for his role in a verbal confrontation

between himself and angry team fans. Last Sunday, in an international

“friendly” game with AC Milan, fans belonging to the Riot Squad support

group heckled Beckham during the game's first half. Beckham has upset

many with his buy-out of his own contract so that he can play for AC

Milan after the Galaxy's current season ends. At one point a fan,

identified in some reports as an independent film producer named Josh

Paige, jumped down from the stands to face Beckham.

Some have

claimed the midfielder baited Paige to come onto the field. When Paige

did jump down to the pitch, he was quickly subdued by security and is now banned

for life from any events at the game's venue, the Home Depot Center in

Carson. Beckham has been quoted as saying he merely wished to shake

Paige's hand. No announcement of the fine has appeared on MLS's Web site.

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