David Beckham has apparently responded to the badmouthing he's received from Madrid president Ramon Calderon and director Pedrag Mijatovic in front of the entire Madrid squad.

I read this in The Sun, so, you know. But here's what they say Beckham said:

"You said to the fans that I had a contract agreed with LA Galaxy and already bought a house in LA and that is a lie. My family and me wanted to stay here. The club and my team-mates and the coach have my respect but you two will never have my respect."

Even more amazing, Becks apparently received an apology from Calderon, who knows an unwinnable popularity contest when he sees one.

Go Becks!

UPDATE: Apologies to The Sun, the story is also in The Independent, and therefore probably true.