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Has Becks really done enough to be knighted?
Last updated at 23:52pm on 31.05.07David Beckham is at the centre of a Whitehall row over whether he should receive a knighthood.
The prospect of the former England football captain and his wife Victoria becoming Sir David and Lady Beckham has dismayed some civil servants who are concerned he will become a tax exile when he moves to the U.S.
In addition, there are questions over whether Beckham has actually achieved enough to warrant such an honour.
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Doubts: David Beckham may miss out on a knighthood since moving to the U.S.A
Two lists are being prepared - the Queen's Birthday Honours and Tony Blair's resignation honours.
Although Beckham's name has been put forward, some believe it should not be approved at a time when he will be earning his main income and paying tax in the U.S. thanks to his £25million five-year deal with the LA Galaxy football club.
A knighthood would put the 32-year-old former England captain in the company of 1966 World Cup winners Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst.
But one Whitehall source said: "Some officials feel that there is nothing wrong with honouring a player who is based in Europe and free to represent his country if required, but feel there is a big difference if the same player is earning his main income and paying tax in the United States and unable to play for England."
Beckham is still a Real Madrid player but starts with LA Galaxy this summer. He was dramatically recalled by England this weekend after being dropped at the end of last year's World Cup.
Tory MP Patrick Mercer said those who have distinguished themselves in battle should be considered for a knighthood before Beckham.
He added: "I hope that if he is to be honoured, then the people who have placed themselves in considerable danger for their country and have contributed to the tax regime should be ahead of him in the queue for such an honour."
Former England defender Alan Mullery MBE said Beckham had not done enough to deserve a knighthood.
"If Bobby Moore, who led England to World Cup glory, cannot become a knight of the realm, then I don't think David Beckham should."
Downing Street refused to comment on whether Mr Blair had suggested Beckham for his retirement honours.
Reader views (6)
I can't understand why knighthoods are bestowed upon entertainers, artists and sports heros. They should only be given for service to the "empire" such as it is, either in military or civil service. Multi-millionare icons are already well compensated for their "service" and widely recognized to boot, and need no further honors.
- Greg, Orlando FL
I can understand reservations however in this day he should definately be deemed an apt role model and the reasons being used in Whithall seem fairly weak and unrelated.
He has been put forwards on merit for his contribution to sport/footbal I'd imagine, which is considerable. He has global football academy's which if governments provided facilities to encourage kids into sport then the need for academies like this would be less.
His contributions to charity and work for Unicef are more than commendable.
Why should his wife have anything to do with this, again she has contributed through Charity work and also they are a family that are togather and achieve things togather as a family.
He may well be in tax exile in the USA however he has paid the maximum tax band in this country on everything he has earned will stay pay the highest band of Council Tax on his properties.
He should be an example to people which is surely what a Knight should be.
To prove that if you work hard, remain focussed and resilient and turn negatives into positives then you will achieve great things.
- Damon, South East London
What an absolute joke. He has his OBE for the work that he has done. So what he has money so finds it easy to give to charity. I give money to charity every month, I do fundraising events at work as a volunteer when I can - do i get to go on the list.
All it would do is make Victoria think even more of herself and make a mockery of the whole honours system.
- Kate, epsom
He is paid MORE than enough and doens't need what should be a special award for it!
- Jane Skillin, Beckham
As good a player as David Beckham is giving him a knighthood is just nonsense.
It's easy to be charitable when you're loaded, in some quarters it's even fashionable to give to charities but why should that qualify him more than a friend of mine who has been doing voluntary work for almost fifty years? His work has been recognised by other countries and the Vatican, yet we can't even get him a lowly MBE.
The honours system is a complete joke.
- Mark, South-East London
Honours are simply given away for the most ridiculous of reasons these days. A Knighthood should only be awarded for exceptional services to the country and kicking a football hardly qualifies. If he is to honoured in any way I think an OBE or CBE would be more than sufficient.
- Jane, London
