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David Beckham and Michael Owen at the 1998 World Cup.

'David let us down, and I still hold some resentment about it today'

Michael Owen has not fully forgiven David Beckham for his red card against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup.

MICHAEL OWEN HAS admitted he still feels “resentment” towards David Beckham for being sent off in England’s match against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup.

England held Argentina to a 2-2 draw after extra-time in the second-round match before going out of the tournament on penalties.

Glenn Hoddle’s team lost Beckham early in the second half when he kicked out at Diego Simeone, after being fouled by the Argentina captain and future Atletico Madrid head coach.

A public backlash against Beckham followed, with many blaming him for England’s defeat. An effigy of Beckham was even hung outside a pub in London.

Owen, who dazzled at the age of 18 in his first major tournament, has revisited the controversy 21 years later.

Despite the passage of time, Owen hasn’t let go entirely of negative feelings towards his former international colleague — later a club-mate at Real Madrid — over the Simeone incident.

Owen wrote in his new autobiography, being serialised in The Mirror: “With the benefit of hindsight and perspective, I feel that what David did probably wasn’t a red card offence in the first place. While it was clearly pre-meditated, it was immature and petulant more than it was violent. But for me, that almost makes it worse.

“All I can say is that, as I sit here now writing this book, knowing how lucky a player is to appear in one World Cup, never mind more than one, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that what David did that day hadn’t let every single one of that England team down.

“Did he deserve the abuse he got afterwards? Certainly not. What human being needs to see his or her effigy being burned? But David let us down, and I still hold some resentment about it today.”

Yesterday, Owen was involved in a Twitter spat with another former club and international team-mate. In response to a dig from Alan Shearer, Owen questioned the ex-Newcastle United striker’s loyalty to the St James’ Park club during his playing career.

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    Mute Robert O Farrell
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:43 AM

    You will be sacked make no mistake – clock is ticking.

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    Mute Fionn Bohane
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:02 AM

    More spoof from the premierships biggest spoofer..

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    Mute neeneee
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:45 AM

    I’d hate to see him sacked I like United under his management even more so than when Moyes was in charge

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    Mute JAK
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:33 AM

    Oh you little troll..

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    Mute Dave Meagher
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    Dec 19th 2015, 12:15 PM

    Sorry LVG I believe in giving a guy a chance but United fans have lost confidence and the style of play inspires no one.

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    Mute Gary O' Connor
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:51 AM

    Hate to say it,but united won’t get Pep.
    Another screw up

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    Mute KevinMunster
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:24 AM

    We will get Brendon Rodgers, everything we do there days is wrong

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    Mute Greeg
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    Dec 19th 2015, 11:18 AM

    As far as I know he’s not included on the Christmas party list organised for next Tuesday ….. Bye bye van Gaal

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    Mute Dave Meagher
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    Dec 19th 2015, 12:13 PM

    The club canceled the players party.

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    Mute david walsh
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:33 AM

    Norwich win hes gone jose in then big time

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    Mute Ron Koeman
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:55 AM

    All football managers careers end in failure.

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    Mute Fernhill House Hotel
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:01 AM

    Ferguson, Johan Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Shankly, Paisley…

    To be fair 99% do end in failure though

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    Mute Ron Koeman
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:05 AM

    But what have those guys have done since they retried?

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    Mute neeneee
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:09 AM

    In all fairness Fergie jumped ship code knew what was coming

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    Mute Jon Walters
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:18 AM

    No it’s because his wife’s sister died..

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    Mute Irishoversea
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:28 AM

    Jumped ship or not it ended in success

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    Mute david walsh
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:33 AM

    Died

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Dec 19th 2015, 2:09 PM

    You heard it here first folks Ron believes retirement is failure

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