LONDON — David Beckham — Britain’s most famous sportsman — seemed destined to be a headliner at the London Olympics. Not on the soccer field.
The former England captain failed to make the British Olympic team, a surprise snub for a local lad who helped secure the games for his city and worked tirelessly to promote them.
“Naturally, I am very disappointed,” Beckham said Thursday after being notified that he hadn’t been selected for the final 18-man squad. “But there will be no bigger supporter of the team than me.”
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder had made Britain’s 35-man preliminary shortlist and seemed certain to win one of the three places allowed for players over the age of 23. Instead, he was informed by coach Stuart Pearce that he hadn’t made the final squad.
The decision by Pearce to omit Beckham almost certainly spells the end of his career representing his country. He has made 115 England appearances, with the last coming in 2009. It appears Beckham lost his place to 24-year-old defender Micah Richards.
The Associated Press
