Becks faces new security scare

The security of leading Premiership stars such as David Beckham is being compromised by an Internet directory which publishes their addresses, according to the Manchester United star's agent.

Alan Edwards, head of the Out-side organisation which manages Beckham and his Spice Girl wife Victoria, said his lawyers would be contacting the controversial website to have his clients' details removed.

Following a series of security threats to footballers and celebrities he said he would also be seeking discussions with fellow agents and officials to alert them to the potential dangers posed by the Internet.

Standard Sport contacted Edwards after discovering Internet users could call up a map, an aerial picture and full postal address of the Beckhams' luxury Cheshire apartment on website 192.com. It took us only a few minutes to get similar information about a number of stars.

Edwards said: "This is absolutely unbelievable and we will be getting our lawyers to contact them to get it taken off. It's extraordinary. It's like going on there and finding Tony Blair's phone number.

"This is a real problem and we will make sure that everyone knows about it. I have already spoken to a few agents to tell them about it."

Another source close to the England captain added: "This is a very big concern but it's just so difficult to police the Internet."

Last February police quizzed a woman after the 25-year-old midfielder claimed she was stalking him.

Earlier this week Inter Milan star Ronaldo was robbed at gunpoint while recovering from injury at home in Brazil, while security measures around footballers in Spain have been stepped up after Barcelona player Ivan De La Pena was the victim of a kidnap attempt outside his apartment.

This is not the first time 192.com has attracted controversy. Although the service publishes only information which is already available from data such as the electoral register, opponents argue the site makes the information easier to access.

It is owned by the same company which was heavily criticised for listing the addresses and possible routes to work of two million company directors.

Last August the Football Association wrote to 192.com asking for the details of referees to be removed amid fears that they could be targeted by supporters. But they made no attempt to deal with the biggest names in football.

Beckham and Manchester United play at Chelsea tomorrow.