Beckham Jr fined $12,154 for obscene outburst at official after game against Steelers
>> NEW YORK: New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr was fined US$12,154 by the NFL on Friday for verbal abuse and excessive profanity directed toward an official.
The fine is at least the fifth of the season for the controversial player, who reportedly confronted an official on the field after the Giants’ 24-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday.
Beckham was irked in the first quarter after being called for offensive pass interference and sharply criticised officiating after the game.
“I don’t pay attention to nonsense. It was a horrible call in my opinion,” Beckham said.
“I don’t understand how I’m running down the field on a go route and somebody tries to stop my progress, but I can’t put my hands on them. But like I said, you can’t rely on anybody. You got to go out and get it. Just try to stay composed. It’s hard to stay composed when you know there is a lot of nonsense going on. But it is what it is, man.”
Beckham leads the Giants with 75 receptions for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns.
MORE GAMES IN LONDON
The National Football League confirmed Friday that London will host four games during the 2017 season, citing “tremendous support” for the sport in Britain.
An NFL statement said it was expanding its international series to four games in recognition of Britain’s “passionate and growing” fan base.
“We continue to be incredibly excited by the passion and love for the NFL shown by our millions of UK fans,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.
“We are looking forward to taking the next step in the UK by playing four games in London next season.”
The NFL has played three games each season in London since 2014 to sell-out crowds, staging matches at both Wembley and Twickenham.
The teams and venues for the fixtures in 2017 will be confirmed on Dec 13.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the increase in fixtures — which is equivalent to half of an NFL team’s home season fixtures — boosted his dream of seeing the city eventually being awarded its own team.
“London is the international home of the NFL and staging the equivalent of what would be half an American football team’s home games in the city is a huge step towards my ambition of bringing a franchise to the capital,” Khan said.