Beckham steps down as captain

David Beckham quit as Eng-land captain yesterday, the morning after his team went out in the World Cup quarterfinals on penalties to Portugal.

A tearful Beckham read a statement to a crowded news conference at England's training camp.

"I have lived the dream," he said. "I am extremely proud to have worn the armband and been captain of Eng-land and for that, I will always be grateful."

He stressed that he wanted to continue playing for the national team.

Beckham said he felt "the time is right to pass on the armband as we enter in a new era" under new coach Steve McClaren, who is taking over as England coach from Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Eriksson had announced in January that he was leaving after the World Cup, 2 years before the end of his contract.

Noteworthy

* FIFA is investigating Germany midfielder Torsten Frings and Argentina defender Leandro Cufre and forward Maxi Rodriguez for their part in the skirmish following Germany's 4-2 win on penalties on Friday.

The postgame scene featured punches and kicks and lasted about 90 seconds in front of a crowd of 72,000 in Berlin.

FIFA is still considering action against Rodriguez and Cufre, but pressed ahead with the case against Frings because Germany needs to know if it can use him in tomorrow's semifinal match against Italy. Also, Eng-land's Wayne Rooney could face further punishment after a FIFA disciplinary committee reviews his red card from the quarterfinal loss to Portugal. *