Beckham is supsended for the game against Slovakia

The England captain said on Friday that he thinks the problem is "creeping back into the game" and said drastic measures could have to be taken.

But the FA are furious that Beckham has made his concerns public.

"His quotes were both naive and stupid," an FA insider told the Sunday Mirror newspaper.

"He should have consulted the FA before speaking out on such a sensitive subject."

Beckham spoke out in response to arrests made when England played Turkey at Sunderland earlier in April.

Of course players notice crowd trouble and worry about it David Beckham

It has been suggested that supporters will be locked out of the next Euro 2004 qualifier - against Slovakia at Middlesbrough on 11 June.

And the FA is still to decide whether England fans will be allowed to travel to Turkey for the return match.

"If we had to play a qualifying game behind closed doors that would be sad for football, sad for England - and sad for the proper England fans who have to suffer because of the small minority of fans that are doing this," Beckham told Time magazine.

"It shouldn't happen, but it might just have to happen to stop this.

"It's a shame for the fans and young kids who are coming to watch players they admire. But if it's going to put an end to the trouble then we should consider it."

Uefa extends deadline

The FA has been charged by Uefa over racist abuse by England fans and pitch invasions after both England goals during the 2-0 win over Turkey.

A Uefa ruling on that charge is due on 1 May.

European football's governing body have already forced Slovakia to play a home game against Liechtenstein in an empty stadium after fans racially abused England players.