Becks booed as Messi sits out friendly
F1 team boss accused of inappropriate behaviour
David Beckham
DAVID Beckham was booed by his club’s fans when World Cup winner Lionel Messi failed to play a pre-season friendly.
Angry spectators in the 38,000 crowd drowned out a speech by Becks, Inter Miami’s co-owner, and chanted “refund”.
The Argentine, 36, said to have a hamstring injury, was on the bench for away side Inter, who beat a Hong Kong XI 4-1.
The Hong Kong government said organisers Tatler Asia may have their fee cut as Messi did not play for at least 45 minutes.
Inter coach Tata Martino said it was too big a risk sending on Messi.
He added: “We understand a lot of fans are very disappointed and we ask for their forgiveness.”
FORMULA 1 boss Christian Horner has been accused of inappropriate behaviour by a member of his Red Bull Racing team.
The allegations against Horner, the husband of ex-spice Girl Geri Halliwell, are being investigated by a top lawyer.
Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf said Horner, 50, “completely denies” the claims. It added Red Bull supremo Oliver Mintzlaff has been made aware and is “taking the matter very seriously”.
No further details about the allegations against Warwickshire-born Horner have been made public.
Last month he was snapped alongside Geri, 51, at the prestigious Royal Artillery Hunt race in Wiltshire.
The dad of two was made a CBE by King Charles and has a son with the singer, who found fame as Ginger Spice.
He is the longest-serving team boss in F1. De Telegraaf quoted him as saying: “I completely deny these allegations.”
Red Bull said: “After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation. This process, which is already underway, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister.
“The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible. It would not be appropriate to comment further.” Horner has run
Red Bull Racing since 2005, winning multiple titles with drivers Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
He married Geri in 2015 after splitting from long-term partner Beverly Allen months after the birth of their daughter Olivia. Horner and Halliwell have one child together – Montague, seven.
The couple recently submitted plans for a swimming pool at one of their two Home Counties mansions.
The FI powerhouse is stepdad to Geri’s daughter Bluebell, 16, whose father is screenwriter Sacha Gervasi.
Horner celebrated his 50th birthday in December with a star-studded party organised by the ex-spice Girl.
Guests included rockers Ronnie Wood and Sir Rod Stewart and Take That singer Gary Barlow.