David Beckham receives one-game suspension in Galaxy win

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A last-minute yellow card Wednesday night earned Galaxy midfielder David Beckham a one-game suspension.

With the Galaxy protecting a 1-0 lead over Columbus Crew, Beckham stood over a free kick from about 25 yards out. Columbus defenders appeared to be inside the referee’s chalk lines, indicating the 10-yard barrier, and Beckham protested, to no avail.

“When you spray the lines, you expect 10 yards,” Beckham said. “That guy was two yards inside the line. I’m waiting for the referee to move him back, but he gave me a card.”

The suspension, coming after Beckham’s eighth yellow of the season, will keep him out of the Galaxy’s game at the Vancouver Whitecaps on July 30.

“However that can be changed, however that can be looked at, there could be some appeal,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s possible.

“Just another bad call from the referee. It’s frustrating because I don’t want to miss games, and it’s in the rule books –- if that line goes down, the players have to be behind it.”

Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena felt just as strongly about the referee’s decision, even suggesting the referee should pay a fine for it.

“If there’s ever a [yellow card] that should be rescinded or at least make the referee pay the fine, it makes zero sense,” Arena said. “The best way to manage that game is to say here’s the mark, either step off or you have to add five seconds to the game. Absolutely makes no sense.”

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-- Douglas Farmer