Posted: Friday July 24, 2009 4:43PM; Updated: Friday July 24, 2009 5:10PM

Beckham fined $1,000 by MLS for conduct toward L.A. Galaxy fan

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MLS fines David Beckham $1,000 for confronting L.A. fan during AC Milan friendly

Beckham walked toward stands to challenge booing crowd just before halftime

Galaxy fans gave Beckham a rude welcome back to MLS after loan to Italian club

NEW YORK (AP) -- David Beckham was fined $1,000 by Major League Soccer on Friday for taunting his club's fans and suggesting they leave their seats and come on the field.

The English star confronted Los Angeles Galaxy fans in a group called the L.A. Riot Squad during last Sunday's 2-2 friendly draw with AC Milan. Beckham played with AC Milan this year and was booed through much of the game.

"We support our players interacting with fans, whether it is at clinics, charity events or by high-fiving their supporters in the stands while celebrating a goal," MLS commissioner Don Garber said. "However, our players should never engage in conduct that can be interpreted as encouraging fans to come out of the stands and onto the field, regardless of the reason."

At halftime, Beckham walked toward the group while shouting and pointing. He challenged fans to meet him on the field and tried to lift himself over advertising boards before security intervened. Police arrested a fan who left the stands.

Then after a second-half corner kick in front of the Riot Squad's section, Beckham immediately turned to those fans, put his index finger to his lips, shrugged his shoulders and blew them a kiss. The kick resulted in a goal.

Beckham has been unapologetic about his actions.

"At the end of the day, I play my game," Beckham said on Thursday. "If it's not good enough for some people, as long as it's good enough for myself and the team, nothing else matters."

The Riot Squad blamed Beckham for agitating the situation in a statement on the group's Web site on Thursday.

"Had David responded differently on Sunday, the booing and the chanting probably would have ended at halftime," the statement said. "We don't believe questioning Beckham's commitment to our team is over the line, but it's clear that David feels otherwise."