Picking Beckham makes a mockery of the motto

Speaking of cheerleaders, the reasons people are celebrating David Beckham’s tediously inevitable appearance in the British Olympic football team appear to be:

 a) There’s a chance they might get a glimpse of his underpants, and
 b) Lots of people will turn up to see him.

On that basis, Robbie Williams should get the call. He draws a crowd and even plays soccerball in the United States on occasion.

But ignore the bogus suggestions that Beckham can lay claim to an Olympic place based on football ability.

Hands up who wants in: David Beckham

He will be in the side simply because of his celebrity status. This is why the British Olympic Association have told Stuart Pearce that he must pick the LA exile. He shifts tickets and will keep the three-striped sponsors happy.

To be fair to Beckham, he was an outstanding talent. Although he never makes a shortlist of the best-ever Premier League footballers, he was a superb club servant. Barring the odd silly episode, he turned out on England duty with pride too and was always charming enough to warrant his fame.

But it is all past tense on the playing front. His best was some years ago. If he has a role with Team GB, it is on the sidelines next to Pearce as an ambassador and member of the backroom team.

Olympic football should be about youth, promise and the future, not all our yesterdays and fool’s gold. Otherwise it is time to change that Olympic motto to ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius… vel Celebrer’.
Higher, Faster, Stronger… or Famous.

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