ENGLAND captain David Beckham has been given a week to explain himself following the controversy which erupted over his self-confessed deliberate booking against Wales.

Beckham is still in danger of either facing a charge of bringing the game into disrepute or receiving an official warning about his future conduct from the Football Association.

However, for the time being, the FA have required the Real Madrid midfielder to provide them with a written explanation of the events of the past week.

The statement on the FA's official website, www.thefa.com, read, "The FA have today written to England captain David Beckham asking for his observations regarding the following:


"The motivation which led to him making the challenge which incurred a caution.

"Subsequent comments attributed to him which were published in a national newspaper on Tuesday, October 12.


The FA's step has at least given them some breathing space to consider their next move, given the complexity of the situation caused by Beckham's misguided actions and comments.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has made it clear Beckham's apology for having admitted to fouling Thatcher on purpose to get suspended for the qualifier in Azerbaijan, for which he was injured anyway, did not excuse his actions.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has nevertheless stressed that he believes this should be the end of the matter, raising the stakes for his employers if Beckham should be suspended.

The England coach had said, "I don't know whether Fifa or the FA are going to do anything. For me, it's finished though."