David Beckham was absolutely crucified by the English media following the red card against Argentina in 1998 that forced England to play with 10 men. Of course, they went on to lose on penalties 75 minutes later. It’s a story that sounds familiar now, the day after England lost again on penalties, this time to Portugal, after Wayne Rooney was sent off after 65 minutes. And if you look at the replays, there can be little argument about the referee’s decision, really. Sven Goran Eriksson, England’s departing manager, is now pleading with the English media that they don’t vilify young Rooney the way they did Beckham eight years ago. “I think you, much more than me, for the next years, need Wayne Rooney,” said Eriksson. “So pay attention please, he is the golden boy of English football. Don’t kill him, I beg you because you need him.” True, England does need him, but it doesn’t need him to make another stupid mistake like that. He definitely has an immaturity problem that needs to be addressed. He may not have completely ruined England’s chances yesterday, but he certainly didn’t help his teammates any either. Rooney says he didn’t mean to do it, but when Eriksson spoke to the ref, who was directly in front of the play, he said “he was sure, 100 percent, even more that it was a red card,” Eriksson said.