Sir David Beckham of Los Angeles?

[Guest FreeSpirit]

LONDON (AFP) - Officials in Britain are wrangling over whether former England football captain David Beckham should be given a knighthood, London's Evening Standard reported Thursday.

 

Civil servants have been asked to consider whether he is suitable for the top honour, awarded by Queen Elizabeth II, but some have argued that he should not be made Sir David because he is moving to play in the United States, the paper said.

 

"His name has been put forward but there is a view among some officials that it should not be approved while there is a conflict between his future as an England player and his contract with an American club," an unnamed source told the paper.

 

"Some officials feel that there is nothing wrong with honouring a player who is based in Europe and free to represent his country if required, but feel there is a big difference if the same player is earning his main income and paying tax in the United States and unable to play for England."

 

But a spokewoman for the Cabinet Office, which coordinates policy across departments, denied that such discussions had taken place and said that civil servants could not put the brakes on a nomination.

 

Beckham, 32, has just earned a recall to the England squad and is due to move from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy in Los Angeles in August.

 

His new club is reportedly concerned that his resurrected England career could clash with his commitments to them, hinting that he may not be released for non-competitive games.

 

He was awarded the lower OBE (Order of the British Empire) award in 2003 and could see that upgraded to a knighthood within a few months, either in premier Tony Blair's resignation honours list or the queen's birthday honours list.

 

As well as his footballing success, his claims for the top award are bolstered by his charity work and role in helping to secure the 2012 Olympics for London.

 

His wife, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, who would become Lady Victoria if her husband was honoured, told the BBC last year: "It's just so camp, it's wonderful isn't it? Lady Victoria...that would be quite amazing."

 

Downing Street has refused to comment on the story, while royal officials never comment on likely recipients of gongs in advance.[/Quote]

 

So the big question is, does he deserve it?.

[Guest Jung]

Moving to the United States shouldn't have anything to do with it.

 

Can't see why that would affect it at all?

[Guest Al Stevens]

Simple Answer NO!

 

What really as David done to warner a smegging knighthood? Kicking a bag of air around a field with two metal frames around it. Thats it.

 

Give it to someone who should earn it not because he is swanning off to the USA. Also i know this is going to sound Harsh but i would wet myself laughing if Beckham broke his leg on saturday

[BRM 220]

I take it that todays been a slow day for news.

[Guest Marshall Mac D]

him going to america should not effect it if he did get knighted i woudn't argue against it because i think in someway's he deserve's it (my oppinion)

[The Icon 152]

No, simple answer. He has done nothing, nothing at all to deserve this.

[Guest MastersGonads]

Harsh but i would wet myself laughing if Beckham broke his leg on saturday

 

For what exact reason? Because he is successful?

[The Icon 152]

For what exact reason? Because he is successful?

 

More likely because it's the in thing to hate Beckham.

[Guest dpddave]

why would he even be considered for a knighthood?? hes an average footballer thats played mostly crap at all the major touraments hes been involved in with england, hell why not make him PM instead

[Guest Al Stevens]

For what exact reason? Because he is successful?

 

No it's not that i will say this and i shale keep on saying this, He should have remained dropped from the England team. The past two tourments he was shockingly bad and whats the reason why he is brought back because the press have been kissing his ass to get him to come back. He wont be around in two years time to play for england in the Euro so why dont we give a young winger a chance and let him shine instead of pulling back the one trick hoof a long ball across pitch pony back when his international career should have been over.

 

As much as this hurts to say as someone who was born in the UK and hold the passport like, but i hope we get turned over by brazil and then in both quailfers to show that it was the biggest mistake we could have done.

[Guest Nemesis Enforcer]

If Beckham deserves Knighting in the opinion of those who put names forwards then why has Bruce Forsyth not been Knighted since he has done far more for far longer then Beckham!

 

Simplely put Beckham does not deserve to be Knighted at all

[Guest dpddave]

add the fact that beckham is off to LA shortly and if he gets picked for england while playing in that league it would make a complete joke of the young players in the prem league that he takes the place of...

[Guest MastersGonads]

So its his fault he has been accredited with Real's improved performances over the latter half of the season?

 

Was he meant to of turned down being picked for the squad?

 

If that's the case, should Robinson, Ferdinand, Lampard, Rooney, Lennon, Crouch should turn down any England call up, because none have impressed either!

 

Just to add my two penneth...Beckham has done a HUGE amount for charity, and did a large amount of publicity work for the Olympic bid...but his time will come, and he shouldnt really recieve one yet.

 

Sayiong this, he has done far more than many of the England Rugby or Cricket teams.....

Edited May 31, 2007 by MastersGonads

[King 277]

Sir David,God I feel sick:sick

[Guest Jung]

No it's not that i will say this and i shale keep on saying this, He should have remained dropped from the England team. The past two tourments he was shockingly bad and whats the reason why he is brought back because the press have been kissing his ass to get him to come back. He wont be around in two years time to play for england in the Euro so why dont we give a young winger a chance and let him shine instead of pulling back the one trick hoof a long ball across pitch pony back when his international career should have been over.

 

As much as this hurts to say as someone who was born in the UK and hold the passport like, but i hope we get turned over by brazil and then in both quailfers to show that it was the biggest mistake we could have done.

 

On current form he deserves to play. No argument to that whatsoever.

 

And your right in the last 2 tourneys he was poor. But so was Gerrard and Lampard, should we drop them too?

 

And we would give a young winger to shine, but Aaron Lennon is injured, thus why Becks is in the squad. I always said you can't bring him back when he wasn't playing for Real regularly. He is now and he's playing well, so why not? On current form he warrants a place. Half the England squad couldn't say that. Could King and Owen who've barely played football or Jenas who's done little all season.

 

And if we get turned over by Brazil, if you think that proves we shouldnt have brought in Beckham, you know nothing about football. It will prove what we always knew, McClaren's not very good. Bringing Beckham back wasn't going to all of a sudden make us a great side again was it? If you believed that, then you're really dumb.

 

Why bringing Beckham back would be the biggest mistake I've know idea. Would playing Lennon instead all of a sudden mean we are world beaters? I don't get your reasoning.

 

Just admit you don't like Beckham instead of fashioning some naff argument.

[Guest MastersGonads]

On current form he deserves to play. No argument to that whatsoever.

 

And your right in the last 2 tourneys he was poor. But so was Gerrard and Lampard, should we drop them too?

 

And we would give a young winger to shine, but Aaron Lennon is injured, thus why Becks is in the squad. I always said you can't bring him back when he wasn't playing for Real regularly. He is now and he's playing well, so why not? On current form he warrants a place. Half the England squad couldn't say that. Could King and Owen who've barely played football or Jenas who's done little all season.

 

And if we get turned over by Brazil, if you think that proves we shouldnt have brought in Beckham, you know nothing about football. It will prove what we always knew, McClaren's not very good. Bringing Beckham back wasn't going to all of a sudden make us a great side again was it? If you believed that, then you're really dumb.

 

Why bringing Beckham back would be the biggest mistake I've know idea. Would playing Lennon instead all of a sudden mean we are world beaters? I don't get your reasoning.

 

Just admit you don't like Beckham instead of fashioning some naff argument.

 

Couldnt have put it better...

[Guest Nemesis Enforcer]

Why bringing Beckham back would be the biggest mistake I've know idea. Would playing Lennon instead all of a sudden mean we are world beaters? I don't get your reasoning.

Beckham brings with him the media circus that is not needed when the team is struggling for form, also Lennon is more of a threat then Beckham down the wing, he can run at people and scare defences unlike Beckham who is good at one thing and unless you stick Crouch up front this team is not built for high crosses swung in from 50 yards away from the opposing goal

 

That is why I don't think Beckham should have been recalled, its a kneejerk reaction, the way its been talked about Beckham is going to be the saviour of our Qualifying campaign which won't be the case, the team as a whole needs to improve and bringing a media circus to every training session and endless press intrusion is not the way to do it

[Guest MastersGonads]

Beckham brings with him the media circus that is not needed when the team is struggling for form, also Lennon is more of a threat then Beckham down the wing, he can run at people and scare defences unlike Beckham who is good at one thing and unless you stick Crouch up front this team is not built for high crosses swung in from 50 yards away from the opposing goal

 

That is why I don't think Beckham should have been recalled, its a kneejerk reaction, the way its been talked about Beckham is going to be the saviour of our Qualifying campaign which won't be the case, the team as a whole needs to improve and briging a media circus to every training session and endless press intrusion is not the way to do it

 

The England team always bring a media circus, it has always been like it, look at when Bobby Moore was accused of stealing int he 1970 World Cup...or The England team in 1996

 

As Jungta said, Lennon is injured, so Beckham with the form he is is a perfect replacement. Furthermore England (including Micheal Owen) didnt struggle with Beckhams pinpoint crosses pre Peter Crouch, and Real Madrid havent needed a Peter Crouch like striker this season, with the likes of Guti and Ramos benefiting from Beckhams crossing

 

A player should be picked on his current form, and at this moment in time, Beckham is the most in form player of the whole England team, for me he is the first name on the sheet.

Ignore Press intrusion, if it wasnt Beckham it would only be someone else....

[Guest Nemesis Enforcer]

With Beckham in the team the press is going to be even more like a dog with a bone, they already are all over the story and if he has a bad game or England as a whole it will get worse and there will be more spotlight on the team and more distraction for the players

 

Its not just club form that has to be taken into account when selecting teams... Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney were all doing great for their club teams but were consistantly poor for England at the same time, Beckham and the press he brings with him is not what England need

 

I'd move Gerrard to the right where he can come in form the wing and put a holding mid-fielder in his place in the center

[Red05 343]

I'd move Gerrard to the right where he can come in form the wing and put a holding mid-fielder in his place in the center

 

Whilst he can still put in a good performance at right midfield, you're really preventing Gerrard for playing his best by sticking him out wide. He needs to be in the centre.

[Guest Nemesis Enforcer]

Whilst he can still put in a good performance at right midfield, you're really preventing Gerrard for playing his best by sticking him out wide. He needs to be in the centre.

While Lennon came back to fittness I would play him out there, Lampard for his current poor form still is a threat down the middle, and Gerrard with his passing skills and shooting power comming in from the right would be more effective for the team as a whole

[Guest MastersGonads]

With Beckham in the team the press is going to be even more like a dog with a bone, they already are all over the story and if he has a bad game or England as a whole it will get worse and there will be more spotlight on the team and more distraction for the players

 

Its The National Game!!! The press are always going to put a spotlight on the team...The coverage has been the same without Beckham as it has with him....As for distractions, and here was me thinking they were professionals...!!

 

The press is alway going to pick out one player, first it was Gazza, now Beckham, and in the future it will be Rooney....And why...because they have talent...

 

Its not just club form that has to be taken into account when selecting teams... Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney were all doing great for their club teams but were consistantly poor for England at the same time, Beckham and the press he brings with him is not what England need

 

What other form has to be taken into account...Playing with the kids in the back garden? If Gerrard, Lampard and Rooney deserve their chances...Why not Beckham?

 

I'd move Gerrard to the right where he can come in form the wing and put a holding mid-fielder in his place in the center

 

Doesnt Gerrard prefer to play in the centre?

[Guest Wolverine]

It makes no difference if Gerrard's starting position is on the right or in the centre, he'll do exactly the same thing. Wander all over the place.

[Guest Nemesis Enforcer]

Its The National Game!!! The press are always going to put a spotlight on the team...The coverage has been the same without Beckham as it has with him....As for distractions, and here was me thinking they were professionals...!!

The press has been given alot more coverage to the team since Beckham was named back in it, and yes they are professionals but it doesn't mean they don't get distracted most of the poor performances have been put down to distraction, hell even Shearer, Wrighty, Lineker and Hanson has said having the press all over the team is a distraction to the players in their preporation!

 

The press is alway going to pick out one player, first it was Gazza, now Beckham, and in the future it will be Rooney....And why...because they have talent...

Beckham IMO never had that much talent, as George Best said of him... "He cant dribble, Can't shoot, Can't tackle properly but other then that is is ok" he is a trick poney and that is crosses, he used to take good free kicks but even they have deserted him

 

What other form has to be taken into account...Playing with the kids in the back garden? If Gerrard, Lampard and Rooney deserve their chances...Why not Beckham?

England form has to be taken into account, Beckham has not played since McClaren took over and he did poor before that, I wanted England to drop Gerrard, Lampard and Rooney when they were putting in substandard England performances just because they were on fire for their clubs meant nothing they weren't delivering on the main stage and thats where it counts, Beckham hasn't for quite a number of games and hasn't played an international for a long time, Beckham on the right is not the right move, its a solid midfield ball reatiner and tackle maker that is needed

 

Doesnt Gerrard prefer to play in the centre?

Yes he does, but its not about the indevidual player, its about the team and whats best for it, Gerrard and Lampard in the center together is not best for the team, Lampard and a holding midfielder and the more virsatile Gerrard playing in his Liverpool role is IMO

Edited May 31, 2007 by Nemesis Enforcer

[Guest Jung]

He's a one trick pony who according to most people involved with football has been a major influence in why Real Madrid sit atop of la liga.

 

I agree though that the press would be all over England regardless of Beckham. Look at the last few games and the amount of coverage. No Beckham at all for that.

 

Plus what more deserving right wingers are there? SWP? Nope he can't be considered, cause well he plays even less than Beckham does. Lennon's injured so erm......no-one's screaming out at me. Thus why not Beckham?

 

And Beckham never having much talent is ridiculous. Honestly thats just silly. And all this play Lennon first cause he does more, I didn't realise Lennon was our version of Ronaldinho. While Lennon has great potential, his only main attribute is pace. Beckham's is crossing, thus surely its simply a case of which would you rather have, which would surely be dictated by who you play.

 

Also watch La Liga, he stills puts in a great dead ball.

 

IMO he deserves to be there on current form. He's not the future obviously, but he still deserves a place, because at the moment he's in the top 2 right wingers we have, thus surely it answers itself.