David Beckham returned to the scene of his infamous 1998 World Cup red card horror show on Sunday when he was named in the Paris Saint-Germain starting line-up for the clash at Saint-Etienne.

Beckham was sent-off for kicking out at Diego Simeone early in the second half of England's World Cup last-16 game against Argentina at Saint-Etienne's Geoffroy-Guichard stadium, a match which the South Americans won on penalties.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy star became a national scapegoat amongst home fans and media for his sending-off with his act of petulance widely seen as the cause of England's World Cup exit.

Sunday's game will be the 37-year-old former England captain's first Ligue 1 start for PSG having made three appearances as substitute.

He also started the French Cup match against Marseille that PSG won 2-0.

PSG's leading scorer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is also in the starting line-up with Brazilian duo Thiaga Silva and Alex in the middle of defence while Blaise Matuidi and Argentine Javier Pastore add support to Beckham in midfield.

PSG come into the match with a four-point lead over Lyon who were humbled 4-1 by Bastia on Saturday, while third-placed Marseille could only manage a 0-0 draw at home to Ajaccio on Friday.

Source: AFP