There does seem to be a double standard here. Players like Beckham (in the past) were publicly castigated by the whole of the nation's press for the reactions that caused them to be sent off in the World Cup.

The generally expressed view was that - whatever the provocation may have been - the foolish young Beckham should not have reacted in the way he did and it was right that he was sent off.

We now have one of the world's most experience players being sent off for the sort of violent reaction - which had he done in the street would have got him locked-up for assult - and it now somehow matters what the provocation was.......?