Beckham says England may have to play in empty stadiums to beat hooligans

David Beckham is no stranger to the adulation of the crowd. He is also well acquainted with the jeers and catcalls of the mob.

Perhaps that is why he has suggested that playing international matches behind closed doors may be the only way to curb the England team's resurgent hooligan problem.

In an interview with Time Europe magazine, the England football captain voiced concerns over the pitch invasion and racist chants that marred England's Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland this month.

"There was a period where most of it stopped, but it appears to be creeping back into the game," he said. "If we had to play a qualifying game behind closed doors, that would be sad for football, sad for England and sad for the proper fans who have to suffer because of the small minority."

The English FA has been charged over the incident, and fans could be banned for England's next home game, against Slovakia in June. European football's governing body, Uefa, has banned Slovakian supporters from their next home game, against Liechtenstein, after crowd problems when England played in Bratislava.

Although he has no wish to play in an empty stadium, Beckham explained that it might be necessary. "I can't imagine a game with no crowd. It would be like a practice match. It's a shame for the fans and young kids who are coming to watch players they admire. But if it's going to put an end to the trouble, we should consider it."