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Lamps and Becks back 'world class' Cole

13/10/2008

Senior England midfielders Frank Lampard and David Beckham have backed Ashley Cole as one of the world's best left-backs after he fell victim to the Wembley boo boys.

Cole's every touch was greeted with boos and jeers on Saturday after a poor back-pass allowed Kazakhstan to score in the two teams' World Cup qualifier.

England went on to win the match 5-1, but the booing clearly affected Cole and his team-mates.

Fabio Capello, Rio Ferdinand and the Football Association have all already condemned supporters' behaviour, which Lampard and Beckham have now added their voices to.

"The booing is a negative because I think Ashley Cole is the best left-back in the world and I am fortunate enough to play every week alongside him at Chelsea," Lampard, 30, said.

"People make mistakes from football players to everyone in life. Ashley has been faultless this season and has made one mistake.

"There was some booing but I think there was reaction as well from people who tried to clap him and help him get over that."

Beckham said it went against the spirit of the game for fans to boo one of their own, especially on home soil.

"It's disappointing as the majority of fans were great during the game and it's incredible to have almost 90,000 in the stadium," Beckham, 33, said.

"But when you hear that aimed at one of the best left-backs not just in Europe, but in the world, it's just not right."