David Beckham’s management company said on Friday that the former England captain has no plans to play in Australia, disputing claims by the country’s football federation.
Football Federation Australia said Friday it had received an approach by an agent representing the 37-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder to play some matches with an A-League team this season.
Despite FFA claiming that talks were at a “preliminary stage,” Beckham’s representatives said that was not the case.
“There is always enormous interest from clubs across the world in signing David as a player,” Beckham’s management company said in a statement. “There are absolutely no plans to play in Australia. David is completely focused on the MLS playoffs and winning another championship with the Galaxy.”
Beckham joined the Galaxy in 2007 after a career at Manchester United and Real Madrid turned him into one of football’s biggest stars.
Beckham was reported earlier Friday as being “offered around” to several A-League teams on a 10-game contract, according to Australian national broadcaster ABC and the Australian Associated Press.
The profile of the league has been raised by the arrivals this year of former Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC) and former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey (Newcastle).
Mark Bosnich, Beckham’s former teammate at Manchester United, said the A-League should pull out all the stops to secure the star.
“There’s a golden opportunity right now to secure David’s services in Australia, not just for 10 games but for a considerable period of time,” said Bosnich, now an A-League television commentator.
“Let’s do everything we can to make it happen,” the goalkeeper added. “There’s a small window of opportunity with these things and you’ve got to ... seize the day, so to speak.”
Bosnich, who played 23 matches at Manchester United from 1999 to 2001, said Beckham is still capable of performing at the top level.
“He’s in outstanding condition, and if there’s anyone you would want in your team to have the ball when you’re 1—0 down with 10 minutes to go away from home, it’s David Beckham,” Bosnich said.
Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou said his team would not be interested in signing Beckham, but Perth Glory chief executive Paul Kelly said he would sign Beckham if he was available.
“I don’t know anything about it. I know he’s being touted around, but there’s been no conversation,” Kelly said. “As usual, I’ll always say I’m happy to speak to anyone.”
