VIDEO: Beckham's a sinner in St Etienne again as PSG blow two-goal lead
By JOHN DRAYTON
David Beckham was back in St Etienne for the first time since his famous red card 15 years ago - and it was not a happy return as he was involved in a row after the final whistle after PSG had blown a two goal lead at the Geoffroy Guichard Stadium.
Beckham was shown a straight red card for kicking Diego Simeone in a last-16 World Cup game in St Etienne in 1998. Argentina went through on penalties and England's elimination was widely blamed on Beckham.
And on Sunday the former Manchester United midfielder, who was handed his first Ligue 1 start by coach Carlo Ancelotti, tangled with St Etienne's Brandao, going head to head with his opponent after the match.
Scroll down for Beckham's scrap and highlights of the match...
Head to head: Beckham argues with Brandao of Saint-Etienne during the match
Heat of the moment: Beckham argues with Brandao during the draw but at least avoided a red card, unlike in 1998 (below)
Bad end: Beckham's confrontation came at the end of the 2-2 draw
Pushed away: Beckham is ushered away from the the confrontation
Unlike in 1998, this time Beckham avoided sanction.
He played as a holding midfielder on the right of the impressive Blaise Matuidi and in the first half, the 37-year-old played 39 passes, more than any other PSG player.
The former England captain managed to keep up the intensity in the second half as he completed a total of 75 passes, more than any of his team-mates.
Bemused: David Beckham cannot understand why his side allowed a two-goal lead to slip
He was lucky to avoid a yellow card following a rough tackle on Joshua Guilavogui shortly before the break but Beckham's set-pieces were as polished as ever without really threatening.
Two minutes from time, he was given the opportunity to score the winner but his trademark curling free kick went just wide.
Promise: But PSG blew it despite going 2-0 up
Superstar: Zlatan Ibrahimovic was one of the goalscorers
Tensions ran high, though, after St Etienne's second goal by Francois Clerc came after Brandao had stepped on PSG defender Thiago Silva's leg.
Beckham was one of several players to run towards referee Antony Gautier at the end of the game with an angry look on his face and he briefly tangled with Brandao after the final whistle.
VIDEO: Becks makes first start as PSG blow two-goal lead...
P.S.
Despite PSG dropping points again, it has not stopped their fans queuing round the block to get tickets for their upcoming Champions League game with Barcelona.
Lucky ticket: Two PSG fans show there tickets for the Barcelona Champions League game
Standing in line: Fans queue up at the Paris Parc des Princes for tickets
Standing in the cold: Fans queue up for tickets
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