Five hurt in stampede when Beckham arrives in Shanghai

（Xinhua）  20:00, June 20, 2013  

SHANGHAI, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Five people were hurt in a stampede here on Thursday afternoon when former England captain David Beckham arrived at Tongji University.

Witnesses said that thousands of fans rushed forward when Beckham arrived and waved to them. Police failed to control the crowd.

Tongji University said that four working staffs and a student were injured in the stampede. They were rushed to hospital. Their injuries were not serious.

Beckham, who was visiting Shanghai as ambassador to the Chinese Super League, called off the event and expressed his hope that the injured would recover soon.

The 38-year-old superstar began his new role in March, before announcing his retirement last month after winning the French league title with Paris Saint-Germain.