Furious David Beckham laid into ex-F1 boss Ron Dennis during explosive New Year’s Eve row in front of shocked guests after ‘rude’ money jibe
Fierce row ignited when Dennis and his party of 30 finished eating in the restaurant - and then STOLE Beckham's table
DAVID Beckham had a blazing public row in the Maldives with former F1 boss Ron Dennis after he made a “rude” jibe about money.
The ex-England captain, 41, flipped when Dennis, 69, took over his family’s reserved area then crowed: “I’ve paid the most money on the island.”
Beckham had lined up plum front-row seats to enjoy wife Victoria, 42, and son Cruz, 11, singing at the £10,000-a-week Amilla Fushi resort on New Year’s Eve.
An onlooker said: “Becks was fuming.
“It was a throwback to his early football days when he used to show his temper on the pitch.
“He really didn’t hold back.”
The row ignited when Dennis and his party of 30 finished eating in the restaurant then moved outdoors for the night’s entertainment.
But the ex-boss of McLaren, worth around £400million, took over seats reserved for the Beckhams, who were also with chef Gordon Ramsay and his family.
The source added: “There were name cards on the table which Ron failed to notice.
“He thought he could sit wherever he wanted.
“However, when the Beckhams finished their meal and headed out, they saw their seats were taken.”
A female member of Beckham’s staff is said to have made a “polite” appeal to reclaim the area.
But Dennis, who was forced to quit McLaren after clashing with a Saudi businessman, then replied: “I’ve paid the most money on the island, I deserve to sit here.”
He felt the need to put Ron in his place
Beckham, who famously had a dressing room bust-up with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2003, then let rip.
Our source said: “He believed Ron was rude.
“He was so incensed he felt the need to put him in his place - despite the fact the row was in full view of other guests.
“The pair were really going at it.”
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Beckham, accompanied by best pal Ramsay, 50, his wife Tana, 42, and their family, had to be calmed down while other seats were found.
The onlooker said: “Luckily reps from the resort got Ron another table of equal standard.”
They all later watched Victoria perform a special version of Spice Girls’ hit 2 Become 1 with former bandmate Mel C, 42.
Cruz, who released a charity single before Christmas, also made a surprise appearance on stage.
Beckham, who was with his other kids Brooklyn, 17, Romeo, 14, and Harper, five, previously donated an evening in his Wembley box for one of Dennis’ charity nights.
A spokesman for Dennis said: “It was a storm in a teacup.
“They’ve known each other for years.
“It was all forgotten about next morning.”
Dennis is on gardening leave after his 35-year association with McLaren ended last November.
