DAVID BECKHAM SUES IN TOUCH MAGAZINE OVER AN ARTICLE THAT ACCUSED HIM OF CHEATING!

David Beckham is playing hardball.
The soccer star is suing In Touch Weekly after the tabloid ran a cover story of him that claimed he had steamy affairs with hookers.

The lawsuit, filed Friday in Los Angels Superior Court, accuses Delaware-based Bauer Publishing Company LP of libel, slander and intentional infliction of emotional distress as a result of the article, The Associated Press reported.

It also names 26-year-old Irma Nici, who claimed she was a former "high class call girl" who slept with Beckham five times in 2007.

According to the In Touch article, the busty brunette said Beckham paid her $10,000 to spend one night together. Nici also said he had sex with a second prostitute.

Beckham, 35, has been married to wife and ex-Spice Girl Victoria, 36, for 11 years. They have three sons together.

Beckham's publicist, Jeff Raymond said a lawsuit is also being filed in Germany, where the gossip magazine's parent corporation is located.

In Touch has not yet commented.

While Nici has gone into hiding, The Sun reported that Beckham's lawyers plan to serve the Bosnian-born, ex-hooker a $7.9 million claim for damages. They will also demand a front-cover apology from the tabloid.

"David is prepared to scour the earth for this woman, who seems to think she could make up a complete fantasy that is extremely hurtful to him and his family," a friend told the newspaper. "She has treated his wife and children with such disregard he is not prepared to let this one go."