Turkey defender Alpay Ozalan says his Aston Villa contract would not have been cancelled if his recent spat with England captain David Beckham had been with any other player.

Alpay came under fire from the British media and English soccer fans after his much-publicised confrontation with Beckham during England's Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey in Istanbul two weeks ago.

"This would not have happened if the confrontation had been with any other player than David Beckham," Alpay told the Daily Mirror newspaper on Friday.

"The time and effort the English media give to David Beckham is unfair. It is injustice to the other players in the England team. The other players work harder than he does.

"I wanted to leave Aston Villa anyway. I am happy that we have resolved the situation."

On Thursday, Villa chairman Doug Ellis announced the premier league club had parted company with Alpay by mutual consent.

"In the light of recent events, it would have been difficult for Alpay to represent Aston Villa again in the future and the player himself was aware that life in England had become increasingly difficult for him and his family," Ellis told the club's website.

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