Inside Left kicks off
Guest Post February with blog regular, Richie Moran. The anti-racist stalwart and ex-pro footballer looks at David Beckham's move to PSG and can't help but feel a little cynical.
So once again, when there are far more fundamentally important things
going on in the world, the ultimate self-publicist has once more pulled off
perhaps his greatest PR stunt (strange how cockney rhyming slang suddenly
springs to mind) to ensure that he dominates the front and back pages.
As laudable and altruistic as David Beckham may initially appear after
announcing that he will donate five months wages to a Parisian children's
charity on signing a short term deal at Paris St. Germain (arguably now the
worlds richest club) lest we forget, every single breath this man (and his
wife) take is calculated to ensure their name remains in the ascendancy.
From the Alice band worn to ensure that everyone could see the stitches
required when he copped a boot in the boat race from Alex Ferguson, through the
vomit inducing corn rows when he went to meet the worlds greatest living human
being, Nelson Mandela, to his orchestrated tearful world cup resignation as
captain of England (and much more) it is all about 'Brand Beckham' and nothing
else (although giving Cruz a girl's name was a bit of a faux pas if you'll
pardon my French)!
I'm sure it has not occurred to him (or those who advise him) that this
will inevitably restart the pathetic clamour to make him "Sir" David
Beckham, although his previous mission to be captain of the Great Britain
football team at the 2012 Olympics went a bit Pete Tong.
So let's cut to the chase regarding his benevolence. He has apparently
signed for five months, whilst under his own admission being some weeks away
from match fitness. He signed on a free transfer, which generally means a huge
signing on fee, in the case of such a profile, possibly more, or at least
equitable, to his salary. As the owners of PSG are the Qatar Sports Investment (Qatar
of course, being the hosts of the 2022 World Cup) there has already been talk
of an ambassadorial role which I'm fairly sure will not be free and gratis. And
it is surely not inconceivable that any such payments could be nestling softly
in tax free offshore bank accounts.
Although I don't profess a great knowledge of French tax laws, there is
of course the possibility that 75% of said salary would have gone to the French
government in tax and it may be that having earned so much out of the country
over the last several years, Beckham may only be able to stay in the UK for 90
days.
As our politicians, multi-national companies, shrewd footballers such as
Michael Ballack (who whilst at Chelsea was allegedly paid in Euros and paid
little if any tax) and the occasional comedian know there are many ways to
surmount such trivial obstacles.
Again if I was overly cynical I would venture to suggest that the
infamous "image rights" were part of the package (remember his wife
trying to sue Peterborough to retain the rights to the nickname Posh) and I
wouldn't be surprised if every shirt bearing his name contributes to the
Beckham coffers. He apparently, during the press conference (which with offers
on the table for months he chose to hold on the last day of the transfer
window, funny that) described himself as part of a project.
When I played, and throughout my working life, I gave part of my salary
(which was slightly less than his) to various charities. I still belong to and
support various organisations, close to my heart and beliefs, which I have
never felt necessary to have publicised. There are many current and ex-players
such as George Weah, Patrick Vieira, Andy Cole, Didier Drogba and even Craig
Bellamy who have opened academies in Africa and tried to bring peace to their
countries who are deserving of far more respect than this deed. I have a
wonderful friend, who is an optometrist, who I found out quite by accident goes
to Africa every year to operate on people who can't afford it, completely
self-funded, yet seeks no publicity or praise.
What about people such as Rachel Corrie (killed by an Israeli bulldozer
trying to protect Palestinian homes) and Malala Yousafzai (shot in the head for
advocating education for Pakistani women)? Those who belong to Greenpeace, who
regularly risk their lives to make the world a better place for all, even those
who vehemently oppose them These are proper selfless and yes, HEROIC acts.
I even find Beckham's comments about how he couldn't play in the
Premiership for anyone other than Manchester United disingenuous in the
extreme. I do not doubt that he had offers, but obviously not from clubs that
suited his profile or image. I also firmly believe that he is aware that (with
no disrespect) having spent so long playing in a league that doesn't meet the
standard of the self-proclaimed "best league in the world" he would
be found out.
While I don't doubt that Beckham is indeed a consummate professional,
let's examine his actual ability. He undoubtedly possesses a great right foot,
but no better or more accurate than so many before or since.
His passing is good (although Iniesta or Xavi he ain't) and I can name
many midfielders of his era who were far better, including his flame-haired
team mate at Manchester United. At Real Madrid he was regularly eclipsed by the
great Zidane and even by Michael Owen in his brief spell. I acknowledge that
like Kevin Keegan he worked hard to compensate for a lack of natural ability,
but he has never had pace, can't tackle, can't head, is not especially skillful
and for me (like his wife, Robbie Williams and so many more) is extremely
fortuitous to have gone so far on so little actual talent. As I stated recently
I challenge people to remember a dozen or so of the 115 times he played for
England when he made a difference (and yes he was fantastic against Greece).
I have often heard it said that he played with passion for his country
and is an ambassador. Aside from the fact that everyone should play with
passion for their country is that not insulting to the likes of Stuart Pearce
and so many others, who were equally proud, but didn't have to trumpet it all
over the papers? The opprobrium he received after his sending off against
Argentina was disgusting and completely out of proportion, in the same vein as
much of the chanting he has had to endure about Victoria (and those who said
they hoped his children died of cancer are beyond redemption) but the fact
remains that his stupid act of indiscretion almost certainly cost the country
he loves so much progress in that tournament.
The "ideal family man" is alleged to have had affairs with
Rebecca Loos (and he didn't sue when it was revealed), Sarah Marbeck (when his
wife was heavily pregnant) and at least two others to boot. He has at least
(possibly with a great deal of coaching) progressed interview wise from the
monosyllabic mumbler it used to be so painful to watch. So in conclusion, he is
no more worthy of a knighthood than Bradley Wiggins is for riding a bike, or
indeed any footballer, sportsman, actor or musician, with the possible
exception of those such as David Weir who have overcome huge obstacles to reach
the pinnacle. Not that I believe in the system anyway.
He is no ambassador or role model (except to his family). He is a multi-millionaire
whose every nuance, haircut, tattoo serves only to earn him money and keep him
on the front pages. I hope the Parisian charity benefits from his
"money" and the additional publicity from the inevitable visit where
he is seen playing footie with the residents, but I would have some respect for
him had he kept this quiet, which would be the sign of true benevolence and to
be perfectly honest it is the equivalent of you or I donating a tenner.