Peking ruck!

DAVID BECKHAM was last night accused of being unprofessional after heading to China on a public relations trip.

French legend Bixente Lizarazu slammed the Paris Saint-Germain star for flying to the Far East rather than preparing for Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final with Barcelona.
Beckham, 37, used the international break to visit China in his role as a football ambassador and has returned in time for tonight’s league clash at home to Montpellier.
But Lizarazu, 43, who played for France 97 times, said: “The Beckham debate is to know whether David Beckham is a marketing product or a football player.
“I’m sorry, but when you go to China to promote football 10 days before the most important game in PSG’s history, then it’s not good preparation, it’s not professional. No other big club would let a so-called player go so far away.
“In which case don’t sell David Beckham to us as a football player who is coming to strengthen PSG.
“If he’s sold to us as a marketing product, then that’s great.
“Since he has arrived, people are talking about PSG the world over.
“But the ambiguity is that they’re trying to make us believe he’s still important for their sporting project.”
Lizarazu made his France debut in 1992, won the World Cup in 1998 and Euro 2000 plus 17 trophies with Bayern Munich.
Using sarcasm regarding Beckham’s long return flight to China, Lizarazu added: “Maybe that’s the key, maybe he has a Boeing 747 with a gym inside it and an XL-sized bed and loads of masseurs.
“Top-level sport isn’t a circus. I’m not putting Beckham on trial as a person, but you have to accept the fact he signed for Paris to do 80 per cent marketing. It must stop!
“They’ve got Barca coming up soon and, if he’s considered as a major player in the Paris squad, you can’t let him go off for five days, taking in three cities, especially at 37.”
But PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti, whose side are five points clear at the top of Ligue 1, wants Becks to play on next season.
Team-mates have no problem with the former England captain, either.
PSG midfielder Clement Chantome was asked if Beckham has a privileged status within the club.
He said: “No, not at all. David has settled in really well, there’s no problem.
“He’s a great pro, he knows himself very well and he’s always in top shape.”