Former England captain David Beckham has been left out of Team GB’s football squad for the Olympic games.
In an unexpected move, the team’s coach Stuart Pearce has overlooked the 37-year-old LA Galaxy star for one of his three special over-age picks, deciding instead to go with a defender in Manchester City’s Micah Richards. As thought Welsh veterans Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy have taken the other two slots.
The Guardian reports that the decision will come as a shock to the British Olympic Association and the London Organising Committee who had hoped Beckham’s inclusion would boost ticket sales. The former Manchester United star was expected to appear at his former ground Old Trafford and at Wembley for Team GB but after watching him play for LA Galaxy in America last week, Pearce has decided to make the controversial decision of overlooking him.
Beckham said of his snub;
“Everyone knows how much playing for my country has always meant to me. So I would have been honored to have been part of this unique Team GB squad. Naturally I am very disappointed, but there will be no bigger supporter of the team than me. And like everyone, I will be hoping they can win the gold.”
Beckham is still expected to attend the Olympics and Team GB’s foot ball games and will have a role at the opening ceremony.
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1 Comments
In my opinion, bad decision. I’m not a delusional fool who thinks that Beckham is still capable of playing at the standards he used to, but he would still be a fantastic player to have. What he has done for the English game is amazing, no one else has come close. Fair enough, some will disagree and say he’s useless but he really isn’t. It wouldn’t just be his unreal amount of experience and awesome attitude, he can actually still play; he definitely hasn’t lost that crossing and free kick ability.
Stuart Pearce, jesus christ. What a relief he isn’t England’s manager.