Kim Milton Nielsen reflects on sending off Beckham in 1998 World Cup

Former referee Kim Milton Nielsen has shared his personal recollections of the 1998 World Cup round of 16 match between Argentina and England. Writing in a new book, Nielsen detailed the atmosphere inside the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Étienne during the fixture. He noted that he and his officiating team felt they had successfully managed the first half, which included two penalties and a standout performance from Michael Owen. The match is remembered for the incident involving David Beckham, who was sent off for a kick on Diego Simeone. Nielsen describes his mindset during the halftime interval, noting he remained unaware of the impending controversy that would define the second half. The account provides a first-hand perspective from the official tasked with overseeing the high-stakes encounter between the two nations.

• 7:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — Kim Milton Nielsen’s 1998 memories: ‘Hey, you are the man who sent off Beckham’