Kim Milton Nielsen’s 1998 memories: ‘Hey, you are the man who sent off Beckham’
In an extract from a new book, the Danish former referee recalls sending off the England midfielder for his infamous kick on Diego Simeone At half-time on 30 June 1998, Kim Milton Nielsen stepped into the changing room at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Étienne.
The air reeked of wet towels.
He hugged his assistants.
They’d just taken charge of the best half of football they’d ever officiated.
Argentina v England.
World Cup round of 16.
Michael Owen had terrorised Argentina with blistering runs and his breakout goal.
A clever free-kick had outsmarted the English defence.
Nielsen had awarded two penalties.
He couldn’t wait for the second half, but he didn’t know what was coming.
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