David Beckham, center, and Tang Wensheng, left, chairperson of China’s Soong Ching Ling Foundation, walk with Chinese officials upon arrival for a charity event in Beijing Monday, June 17, 2013. Retired Beckham donated his teams’ jerseys he worn during his career and a Jaguar F-Type Sport car to the foundation to sell them for a charity in China. Beckham will be joined by his wife Victoria during his seven-day visit to China, and will attend a Chinese Super League soccer match as part of his role as ambassador to China’s top league. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
BEIJING — At least five people have been injured in a stampede after fans stormed a stadium gate upon the arrival of superstar David Beckham at a Chinese university Thursday afternoon.
Shanghai-based Tongji University says on its official microblog that four university employees and one foreign student have been sent to the hospital with injuries.
The state-run news site Xinmin Net says nearly 1,000 fans had gathered at the university stadium, where the retired football star was scheduled to meet members of the university’s football team. Xinmin says the event has been canceled following the stampede.
A post on Beckham’s microblog on the popular Chinese-language platform Sina Weibo wishes the injured speedy recoveries.
Beckham is in China this week on a seven-day promotional tour for the Chinese Super League.