Los Angeles - British footballer David Beckham, 33, was sued by a Hollywood paparazzo, the E! Online internet celebrity magazine reported.

Photographer Emicles Da Mata filed charges of causing bodily harm against Beckham and his bodyguards, demanding a yet unknown amount of damages as an incident in December caused bodily harm and emotional distress.

He was sitting in his car when he was attacked by an angry Beckham and his bodyguards, he said. Beckham had tried to take away his camera while he was roughed up. The camera was thrown in a garbage bin, while Da Mata's fellow paparazzi took pictures of the scene.

A police report was taken of the event, but no criminal charges were filed. (dpa)