David Beckham has admitted the foul on Ben Thatcher that earned him a yellow card in England's World Cup qualifying win over Wales was premeditated.

"It was deliberate," Beckham told The Daily Telegraph. "I am sure some people think that I have not got the brains to be that clever, but I do have the brains."...

"I could feel the injury. So I fouled Thatcher. It was deliberate. I knew straight away I had broken my ribs. I have done it before. I knew I will be out for a few weeks, so I thought: Let's get the yellow card out of the way."

The England skipper clattered Thatcher in what appeared to be retaliation for a tackle, which left him with a cracked rib and no chance of facing Azerbaijan on Wednesday!