Beckham hits back at ex-nanny

MADRID - David Beckham has strongly criticised his children's former nanny Abbie Gibson for her allegations in the News of the World about the state of his marriage to wife Victoria.

"I find it quite amazing and quite unbelievable that people sell things like that," the England captain told reporters in Madrid.

"When you invite people into your home to look after your children - which are the most prized possessions in mine and Victoria's life - you need to be able to trust them."

The Real Madrid midfielder and his wife are suing Gibson, 27, for breach of confidence after failing at the weekend to win a court order banning the newspaper from publishing her allegations.

"I can't say too much because there are a lot of legal things going on at the moment," said Beckham, who will turn 30 next Monday.

"What I will say, though, is that the reason I keep my mind on football is that me and my wife are happy.

"We are normal people, although people might not think that. Of course we have arguments like everybody, but at the end of the day I know that I love my wife.

"I've been brought up the right way, to treat women with respect and if I did not do that my mother would be the first one over here and telling me off."

The couple's relationship came under close scrutiny last year following tabloid allegations that Beckham had had an affair with his personal assistant Rebecca Loos -- a claim he dismissed as "ludicrous".

In February, ex-Spice Girl Victoria gave birth to the couple's third son, Cruz

- REUTERS