Brandao defends Thiago Silva challenge

Saint-Etienne forward Brandao has played down his challenge on Thiago Silva during his side's 2-2 home draw with Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.

After the match, PSG midfielder David Beckham confronted the 32-year-old Brazilian over his physical approach to the Ligue 1 game and, in particular, to his challenge on the former AC Milan defender in the lead-up to Francois Clerc's equaliser in the 72nd minute.

"There was nothing [in the challenge]," ESPNSoccernet quotes Brandao as saying.

"Both of us went for the ball and there was contact. That's football. It's the referee who decides whether or not it's a goal. I wasn't trying to do something bad.

"I went to play the ball, but football is a contact sport. I'm a warrior and I never give up on anything. That's the way it is."

The draw left Saint-Etienne in fourth place in the league table, while PSG are five points clear at the top.