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“This story is based on outdated material taken out of context from hacked and doctored private e-mails from a third-party server and gives a deliberately inaccurate picture,” he said.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
Al-Hilal win tightens Saudi Pro League title race
- The 3-2 victory over Al-Khaleej leaves Al-Hilal a single point behind Riyadh rivals Al-Nassr, who play on Saturday
DUBAI: The gap at the top of the Saudi Pro League table was cut to just one point on Friday night, following Al-Hilal’s 3-2 win over Al-Khaleej.
Simone Inzaghi’s team leapfrogged Al-Taawoun into second place to remain the closest challengers to Al-Nassr in the title fight, with the leaders set to host Al-Okhdood on Saturday.
Al-Hilal opened the scoring on 18 minutes when Mohammed Kanno met Hamad Al-Yami’s lay-off on the edge of the penalty area, his long-range shot beating Al-Khaleej goalkeeper Anthony Moris at his left-hand post.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic doubled the lead on 39 from Malcom’s assist to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb in the second half. Al-Hilal looked to have secured all three points comfortably when Malcom made it 3-0 on 57 minutes, but Al-Khaleej had other ideas.
Joshua King’s goal on 79 minutes looked to be nothing more than a consolation, but five minutes later Al-Hilal were left sweating after Giorgos Masouras cut their lead to a single goal. The visitors’ revival was short-lived, however, with no more additions to the score.
The defeat leaves Al-Khaleej in eighth place, with three matches still to be played on Saturday.
Earlier on Friday, Al-Taawoun briefly climbed to second place in the table after an away win against Al-Kholood at Al-Hazem Stadium. Their goals came from Christopher Zambrano after 22 minutes and a William Troost-Ekong’s own goal in the 75th; Al-Taawoun ended the match with 10 men after Muteb Al-Mufarrij was sent off in stoppage time, but the three points were already secured.
Al-Hilal’s win later in the day meant Al-Taawoun dropped to third, while Al-Kholood sit in 12th.
The first match of the day saw Al-Fateh shock reigning Asian champions Al-Ahli with a 2-1 win, after falling behind at home to Valentin Atangana’s 22nd-minute goal. However, the home team turned the match around with two goals from Maria Vargas either side of half time.
The win saw Al-Fateh rise to 14th while Al-Ahli stayed in fourth.
