[TomClare]

LONDON (AFP) - Officials in Britain are wrangling over whether former England football captain David Beckham should be given a knighthood, London's Evening Standard reported Thursday.


Civil servants have been asked to consider whether he is suitable for the top honour, awarded by Queen Elizabeth II, but some have argued that he should not be made Sir David because he is moving to play in the United States, the paper said.

"His name has been put forward but there is a view among some officials that it should not be approved while there is a conflict between his future as an England player and his contract with an American club," an unnamed source told the paper.

"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."

But a spokewoman for the Cabinet Office, which coordinates policy across departments, denied that such discussions had taken place and said that civil servants could not put the brakes on a nomination.

Beckham, 32, has just earned a recall to the England squad and is due to move from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy in Los Angeles in August

His new club is reportedly concerned that his resurrected England career could clash with his commitments to them, hinting that he may not be released for non-competitive games.

He was awarded the lower OBE (Order of the British Empire) award in 2003 and could see that upgraded to a knighthood within a few months, either in premier Tony Blair's resignation honours list or the queen's birthday honours list.

As well as his footballing success, his claims for the top award are bolstered by his charity work and role in helping to secure the 2012 Olympics for London.

His wife, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, who would become Lady Victoria if her husband was honoured, told the BBC last year: "It's just so camp, it's wonderful isn't it? Lady Victoria...that would be quite amazing."

Downing Street has refused to comment on the story, while royal officials never comment on likely recipients of gongs in advance.

[United Pumps]

I've seen some pretty stupid posts today but this takes the biscuit.

[sdotsom]

I hope you aren't insulting TomClare. The guy is the most respected poster around this board at least, and an author of many great United-related materials.

To be honest, there are probably quite a few knighted people who have done less than Becks, so good for him. Why not?

[United Pumps]

No slant towards the poster at all. Just the content. I could go into it but it'd kick off a very un-United related political debate. Beckham is a prat, btw.

[sdotsom]

I'm not versed in the politics behind knighthood and the such, so I'll defer that to you. But I happen to think that Beckham was one of the top players, in terms of skill but just as much as in terms of commitment, that have been at this club. So I'd have no prob with this.

[The Guv'nor]

They're irrelevant anyway now, no one really cares.

[Stud83]

If England won WC2006, I'd be all for it. If England wins Euro 2008 and Becks plays a role in it, I'd also be all for it. But what are they basing it on? His humanitarian efforts?

[Sapphire]

I'm fairly certain Sir Anthony Hopkins had lived and worked in the US for a couple of decades before being knighted in the 90s. And the article is ambiguous -- unnamed civil servants are being asked (passive voice) by someone, but apparently not the Cabinet Office, which denied any of this conversation occurred.

Beckham sells papers: I think that's about the entire story on this one.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Becks In Line For A Knighthood?



Oh God, it's serious. Why bring us this news Tom, why?

[israbeckham]

I would give it to him, but not yet, only when he retires.

And besides his great footballing accomplishments, Beckham is also an ambassador and several other things, so Sir David it is!