- David Beckham faced extreme reactions from fans after the 1998 World Cup
- He talks about the abuse he suffered in the Netflix documentary ‘Beckham’
- click here to listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off’
Victoria Beckham has slammed former England manager Glenn Hoddle for failing to protect her husband David after his infamous red card at the 1998 World Cup.
Speaking on Netflix’s new Beckham documentary series, Victoria claims Hoddle ‘wasn’t a man’ after England’s defeat to Argentina as he appeared to blame the midfielder for his side’s World Cup elimination.
The Three Lions icon took a swipe at Argentine Diego Simeone, who said he went down softly in the 47th minute and forced England to play with 10 men for the remainder of the last 16 after being given his marching orders.
Upon returning to England, David faced extreme reactions from fans and media, who vilified and abused the star the following season.
The documentary shows how he was spat at in the street, repeatedly booed at Manchester United matches and even received death threats.
Victoria Beckham, pictured, has heavily criticized former England manager Glenn Hoddle during the new Netflix documentary series about her husband David’s life and career in football
England manager Hoddle appeared to blame David Beckham for his side’s 1998 World Cup exit after the midfielder was shown a red card against Argentina in the Three Lions’ last-16 defeat
David Beckham also talks about the extreme reactions he faced in the documentary series
Hoddle stoked the storm with his post-match comments, insisting the broadcast changed the game and David will have to learn from his mistake after letting his side down.
Speaking during the documentary, Victoria said: ‘Glenn Hoddle didn’t come out and protect him. And how old was David, 23?
‘You are a 23 year old child. Glenn Hoddle was a man. Actually, I wouldn’t say it was a man, he was older.’
Opening up about the emotionally challenging time, David said: “I wish there was a pill you could take to erase certain memories.
‘I felt very vulnerable and alone. There was this horrible paparazzi guy (when I returned to England) and he said, “How do you feel about letting your country down? You’re a disgrace.”
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After receiving the red card, the ex-England star was vilified and abused by fans and the media
British newspapers blamed Beckham for England’s elimination, and he was subsequently spat at in the streets, booed by supporters in the stadiums and even the subject of death threats.
‘I find it difficult to talk about it because I can’t. What I experienced was so extreme. The whole country hated me.’
Victoria added: ‘He was really depressed, absolutely clinically depressed. It hurt me so much. I still want to kill these people.”
The former Red Devils and Real Madrid star admitted that both Sir Alex Ferguson and Victoria were instrumental in helping him through the incredibly challenging year.
“It was such an emotionally draining season,” Beckham said. ‘I wouldn’t have survived if I hadn’t played for a club like Manchester United. But Victoria was the biggest reason I got through that time.”