LONDON: David Beckham on Saturday blasted reports that he used his children’s charity work to boost his public image and chances of getting a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.
A spokesman for the football icon claimed “hacked and doctored” private e-mails had given a “deliberately inaccurate picture.”
The former England captain, who retired in 2013, was the subject of a “Football Leaks” probe by the European Investigative Collaborations network, a consortium of 12 European media organizations, including France’s Mediapart.
Citing e-mails between Beckham and his staff, the reports claimed he initially refused to put his own money into his humanitarian 7 Fund, tried to obtain reimbursement from the UN children’s agency UNICEF for expenses met by his sponsors and was using his humanitarian work as a springboard for his own profile.
Beckham was made an officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2003, two steps below a knighthood.
In one e-mail, he allegedly took extreme objection to the singer Katherine Jenkins getting the same OBE award in 2014, slamming the British honors committee.
He appears to rail against not receiving a knighthood, saying : “If I was American I would have got something like this 10 years ago.”
In another e-mail he seemingly complained about being asked up front to match the highest bidders in a UNICEF auction, saying: “I don’t want to do it and won’t do it with my own money.”
A spokesman for Beckham responded to the claims.
“This story is based on outdated material taken out of context from hacked and doctored private e-mails from a third-party server and gives a deliberately inaccurate picture,” he said.
“David Beckham and UNICEF have had a powerful partnership in support of children for over 15 years.
“The David Beckham 7 Fund specifically has raised millions of pounds and helped millions of vulnerable children around the world.
“David Beckham has given significant time and energy and has made personal financial donations to the 7 Fund.
“David and UNICEF are rightly proud of what they have and will continue to achieve together and are happy to let the facts speak for themselves.”
UNICEF said it was “extremely proud” of its work with Beckham, saying he had generously given his “time, energy and support” and has “given significant funds personally.”
It said his 7 Fund had raised millions of pounds (dollars, euros) for UNICEF programs.
UNICEF ambassadors give their support “in a voluntary capacity, receiving no fee for their time and commitment.”
Beckham denies using charity to boost image
Beckham denies using charity to boost image
Saudi Arabia gears up for first Esports World Cup
RIYADH: Riyadh is set to host the first-ever Esports World Cup.
The competition, which will take place at Boulevard Riyadh City from July 4 to Aug. 25, will bring together more than 2,500 gamers representing elite teams and clubs. The event features a prize pool of $60 million, the largest in esports history.
Powered by the Esports World Cup Foundation, the tournament aims to propel the e-gaming industry forward while creating promising opportunities for players and multi-team clubs.
The largest event in esports history, it will unite a global community that includes players, fans, game producers and publishers, with a focus on fostering connections and collaborations.
The unprecedented size of the prize pool means the cup is poised to become a milestone for the EWCF, which seeks to attract top talent and celebrate the popularity of esports.
The tournament will support the Kingdom’s efforts to elevate the world of esports and highlight its positive impact on society.
It will play a vital role in promoting cultural exchange and encouraging brands and companies to invest in the sector.
FIA president praises growth of motorsport industry in Oman
- Mohammed Ben Sulayem held talks with senior government officials during visit
MUSCAT: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has held talks with senior government officials in Oman to discuss the growth of motorsports and efforts to bring sustainable mobility initiatives to the country.
Ben Sulayem reaffirmed the FIA’s support for Oman’s development projects and said: “I was delighted to learn more about the growth of motorsport in Oman during the various meetings. The government is supporting grassroots development plans to ensure that motor sport will thrive in the years to come.”
He added: “I applaud the excellent work that is being undertaken by the Oman Automobile Association under the direction of Chairman Brigadier Salem Al-Maskiry in the areas of both sport and mobility.”
The president’s visit was hosted by the Oman Automobile Association, which was founded in 1979 and currently has over 10,500 members.
During the trip, he met with Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Sayyid Theyazin Bin Haitham Al-Said, Secretary General Royal Court Affairs Nasr Hamoud Al-Kindi, and Minister of Housing and Urban Planning Khalfan Bin Saeed Al-Shueili.
He also enjoyed a visit to the Royal Opera House and shared a convivial dinner with Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Zubair, president of the Oman Olympic Committee.
Later this year, the OAA will host the iRracing FIA F4 Esports tournament, which will feature the Middle East and North Africa International Karting Trophy.
Drifting and remote-control racing are also thriving sports in Oman. The country has benefited from FIA grant funding in recent years, including for safety training for both baja and cross country competitions.
On the mobility side, the FIA and OAA co-hosted an environmental seminar which featured more than 30 participants from 14 regional sport and mobility clubs. The event provided a unique opportunity for the FIA and its members to share knowledge and experiences about environmental challenges in MENA countries.
Presentations and discussions focused on the FIA’s environmental strategy and the tools available to support clubs in organizing more sustainable events.
Club representatives also took part in a session aimed at furthering understanding of climate change, empowering them to become proactive contributors to taking action.
Ronaldo leads Roshn Saudi Pro League stars set to boost their nations at Euro 2024
- Aleksandar Mitrovic and N’Golo Kante among 15 players expected in Germany at end of the SPL season
RIYADH: Several Roshn Saudi Pro League players are preparing to join their nations for the Euro 2024 tournament taking place from June 14 to July 14 in Germany.
The 24-team tournament kicks off at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena and ends with the final at the Olympiastadion.
As things stand, and fitness permitting, this year’s edition will have 15 players from seven SPL teams taking part.
According to the Transfermarkt website, these SPL players, most of whom moved to the Kingdom last summer, are valued at an estimated total of $267 million. The collective market value of all players participating in Euro 2024 stands at an impressive $12 billion.
Leading the pack is Al-Nasser with four players expected to compete at Euro 2024, led by superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Joining him in the Portuguese squad will be Otavio, while Aymeric Laporte will represent Spain, and Marcelo Brozovic will run out for Croatia. The four players have a combined market value of $96 million.
Two Saudi Arabia clubs will have three players representing their countries at Euro 2024.
The newly crowned SPL champions Al-Hilal will provide the Serbian duo of Aleksander Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, while midfielder Reuben Neves joins Portugal. The three stars are worth $112 million.
Al-Okhdood, somewhat surprisingly considering the number of foreign talent at the top four clubs, are the other team to have three players heading to the European showcase. The Romania pair of Andrei Burca and Florin Tanase, as well as Georgia’s center-half Solomon Kvirkvelia, are valued at $7.7 million.
Al-Ettifaq will have the Netherlands’ Georginio Wijnaldum and Scotland’s Jack Hendry who are valued at $8.3 million. Al-Ahli center-half Merih Demiral, valued at $19.4 million, is expected to join Turkiye’s squad, while Damac’s midfielder Nicolae Stanciu, valued at $5.4 million, will represent Romania.
Rounding out the roster is Al-Ittihad’s French midfield star and World Cup winner N’Golo Kante with a market value of $10.8 million.
Celtics grind to overtime win over Pacers in East finals opener
- Tatum top scored for Boston with 36 points, 10 of them in overtime, collecting 12 rebounds and four assists with Brown putting up 26 and Jrue Holiday 28
- The Pacers came into the game on the back of a gruelling Game 7 win against the New York Knicks on Sunday and Boston were the fastest out of the traps
LOS ANGELES: The Boston Celtics needed a late rally to force overtime against the Indiana Pacers before emerging with a 133-128 win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday.
Boston’s Jaylen Brown sank a three-pointer from the corner with 6.1 seconds remaining to tie the scores at 117-117 and take it to overtime.
Then Jayson Tatum made a crucial late three-pointer to push the Celtics to victory and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Tatum top scored for Boston with 36 points, 10 of them in overtime, collecting 12 rebounds and four assists with Brown putting up 26 and Jrue Holiday 28.
Indiana, who fought back from large deficits several times in the game, were led by Tyrese Haliburton’s 25 points, 10 assists and three rebounds with Pascal Siakam making 24 points, seven assists and 12 rebounds.
Brown was far from happy with the performance from Boston, who had almost a week off after their 4-1 series win over Cleveland.
“A lot of ups and downs, I don’t think we played our best,” said three-time All Star Brown.
“We almost dropped the game on our own floor. So we have got to come out and be better,” he added.
The Pacers came into the game on the back of a gruelling Game 7 win against the New York Knicks on Sunday and Boston were the fastest out of the traps.
With the loud home crowd sensing Indiana were struggling, Al Horford’s 26-foot three pointer made it 12-0.
The Pacers got back into the game and levelled it 64-64 at half-time.
A 13-point run in the third put Boston 87-77 up but again Indiana came back and with less than two minutes to go they led 115-100.
Indiana turned the ball over twice in the final 30 seconds of regulation before Brown’s crucial three pointer, over the top of Siakam.
When Haliburton was unable to get off a last-gasp shot the game went to overtime.
A step back three-pointer from Tatum with 43 left put Boston four points up.
After Derrick White’s layup extended the advantage to six with 25 seconds left, the game was beyond the Pacers.
“We were able to make some plays at the end but we have got to be better to be honest, but I’ll take the win,” said Brown.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said he was to blame for allowing the Celtics to take the game to overtime.
“The loss is totally on me,” he said.
“With 10 seconds left in regulation, we should have just taken the time out, advanced the ball and found a way to get it in and made a free throw or two and ended the game.
“But it didn’t happen and we made some other mistakes,” he added, referring to the team’s turnover problems.
“We know we made mistakes and that is an area we have got to clean up,” said Carlisle.
“We have been a tough-minded, resilient team for almost the entire second half of the year but we have to continue with that and come back here on Thursday night.”
Pakistan to face England in opening T20I clash at Headingley ahead of World Cup
- Skipper Babar Azam expresses confidence Pakistan will carry the winning momentum from the Ireland series
- England dominate the T20I rivalry with 19 wins to Pakistan’s nine triumphs, with one game ended as a no-result
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan men’s cricket team will take on England in the first of the four-match T20I series at Headingley today, Wednesday, in what is expected to be an exciting match ahead of next month’s World Cup.
The last T20I meeting between Pakistan and England took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. England edged past Pakistan by five wickets in the close encounter with Sam Curran earning the Player of the Final award for his figures of three for 12.
A full-strength Pakistan cricket team is expected to take the field at Headingley on Wednesday at the back of a 2-1 series win against Ireland in Dublin last week. Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi snapped up the Player of the Match awards in the two victories.
Pakistan men’s white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten also joined the side on 19 May for the first assignment of his two-year tenure.
“I am confident that Pakistan will carry the winning momentum from the Ireland series into the England T20Is. Our 2-1 victory in Dublin showcased the brilliance of our batters and bowlers, while also providing us with learnings as we aim to work on our areas of improvement,” said Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, the most successful captain in T20Is with 46 wins.
“We’ve had productive training sessions at Headingley and with head coach Gary Kirsten linking up with the squad, we are focused on fine-tuning our strategies and combinations for the four T20Is against England and T20 World Cup,” he added.
England dominate the T20I rivalry with 19 wins to Pakistan’s nine triumphs, while one game ended as a no-result. England were the winners of the previous bilateral series against Pakistan, clinching the seven T20Is played in Lahore and Karachi 4-3.
Series schedule:
22 May – v England, 1st T20I, Leeds
25 May – v England, 2nd T20I, Birmingham
28 May – v England 3rd T20I, Cardiff
30 May – v England, 4th T20I, The Oval
