Fifa to probe missile attacks

David Beckham winces as he is struck by a bottle

By BBC Sport Online's chief football writer Phil McNulty

Fifa has promised to investigate the incidents which saw England skipper David Beckham pelted with missiles during his side's 2-0 win against Greece.

Beckham had lighters, coins or water bottles thrown at him from the Athens terraces whenever he went to take a corner or ventured near the touchline.

The FA has already demanded action from Fifa and the Greek authorities after the incidents in last night's World Cup qualifier in Athens.

Fifa media officer Andreas Herren told PA International: "If an association made a complaint then we would certainly investigate it.

We knew they would throw things at us and I was hit by a bottle and other things were thrown towards me

  David Beckham

"However it is usual to wait for a report from the referee before deciding whether any action needs to be taken into the incident.

"We also had a Fifa commissioner at the game and we would look into any observations that he makes.

"In these cases we would speak to the relevant associations and listen to their comments.

"This is not a time-critical issue so there is no need to make an immediate decision."

It is the second time that an England player has had to suffer such treatment in successive away matches.

Left-back Ashley Cole was struck by an object while celebrating the third goal in England's 3-1 win over Albania in Tirana in March.

That resulted in a small fine for Albania but the attacks against Beckham were repeated and the FA wants the matter to be investigated.

Two real arrests out of 7,000 fans is pretty good going

  Peter Millett, British Embassy

The FA's head of communications, Paul Newman, confirmed: "We are asking Fifa and the Greek authorities to look into these incidents."

Beckham, who scored England's second goal, admitted: "We knew it was going to be hostile. We knew they would throw things at us and I was hit by a bottle and other things were thrown towards me."

"But the free-kick was a nice way to put one over on them for throwing all the stuff at me and by winning it silenced everyone."

Meanwhile, two England fans are expected to be charged after Greek police made 80 arrests before the match.

One is expected to be charged with grievous bodily harm for allegedly throwing a bottle at a waiter and the other with assaulting a police officer, said Peter Millett, deputy head of mission at the British Embassy.

"Two real arrests out of 7,000 fans is pretty good going," said Mr Millett.

Most of the arrested England fans were held after a disturbance at the Nea Iraklio station, one stop before the Olympic Stadium, where there was damage to shop windows and a train.