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AIBU?

To be cynical about David Beckham's latest antics

161 replies

Perriwinkle · 01/02/2013 21:23

Yes, we've heard how absolutely marvellous it is that he's going to be donating the wags he'll earn during his 5 month stint at Paris St Germain to a French children's charity (and don't get me wrong I'm sure it is for the charity) but I really don't swallow this whole altruistic Francis of Assisi line.

I've heard people referring to him as "a real class act" but if he really was a "class act" would he not have done this privately, without the fanfare and circus of a full blown press conference in front of the world's media - which, incidentially, most normal footallers, irrespective of how good they are, never have when they sign for new other clubs. Most seem content to manage with a quick photo opportunity holding up the new club's shirt. Hmm

Does this deeply altruistic act have anything to do I wonder, with the fact that his wife has a burgeoning career as a fashion designer and would love to be lauded in Paris and taken into the hearts of the French?

Does it have anything to do with furthering the "Beckham brand"?

Does it have anything to do with wanting a knighthood?

Does it have anything to do with boosting an already planet-sized ego?

Does it have anything to do with Beckham's relentless worldwide charm offensive and the seeming obsessive desire to be adored?

I'd say a resounding yes to all of the above.

Realistically there is a huge personal and financial benefit to be derived by David Beckham from making what is, in reality, the equivalent in relative monetary terms of about a £20 charity donation to your average person.

He used to just sound thick too but yesterday I noticed that an annoying smugness appears to have crept into his voice Shock

OP posts:
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oohlaalaa · 01/02/2013 21:26

I don't think he'd be so generous if the top tax rate was not 75% in France.

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JumpingJackSprat · 01/02/2013 21:27

You are definitely not unreasonable. Its not as if he is giving up his last £ to charity is it so agree with you why do thus publicly if it really was all about making a donation? He could promote the charity without making a song and dance of donating.

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ComposHat · 01/02/2013 21:28

Regardless of his motives, some good will come of this and he could have pocketted his salary and no one would have thought any less of him.

I think it would be niaive to think that high profile charity campaigners are wholly motivated by altruism Bono, Geldof et al. they all enjoy the status that their charidee patronage gives them.

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MolotovCocktail · 01/02/2013 21:28

TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU, OP!

An I'm shouting because I feel like the only person in the world (well, of my family and friends) who feel this way. Even my DH who is usually very critical of celebrities thinks Beckham is wonderful: "Well, he doesn't have to do it; £100k a week that charity will be getting".

Fuck off!

Definitely a smug 'pleaselovemeandgivemeaknighthood' strategy going on.

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iloveeverton · 01/02/2013 21:32

YABU it's a good thing, he wants to keep playing football and he's giving to charity.

Did you see the fuss when Ballotelli made his move? Riot police etc, the big players attract this attention.

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ShesEverSoFamous · 01/02/2013 21:37

Have to agree with iloveeverton here, if a football player is of such a high class like Beckham then of course there is going to a press conference. Quite frankly I don't care if he has ulterior motives about giving to charity, at least he is doing something. There's not many other players who would.

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2cats2many · 01/02/2013 21:38

I love Beckers and my gut instinct tells me that his heart is in the right place and he's doing it out of altruism. Doing it so publicly might even encourage some other high rollers in the public eye to do it to.

I always thought he was a bit of a twat until I saw a tv programme which showed him coaching some school kids at footy. At the end of the session, he asked them to tell him their favourite @David Beckham is a thickie' joke and he was just so lovely and laughed his head of at them. He just came across as really genuine and nice and handsome and hunky.

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armagh · 01/02/2013 21:39

To avoid paying tax in (cash strapped) Ireland. St. Bono and U2 moved some of their business interests to Holland. Not illegal. But not such a saintlike figure in ireland now Smile

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FutTheShuckUp · 01/02/2013 21:39

Agree.
If it was totally altruistic why tell the cunting world?

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redlac · 01/02/2013 21:41

Feckin can't stand him - I'd be more Impressed if he was giving away his wages AND the countless millions he will make in those 5 months from sponsorship deals

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phoenixrose314 · 01/02/2013 21:42

Because it would have been noticed...

Why is it that so many people seem to WANT to believe the worst in everyone??? Especially, it seems, on this website!!

Am I being unreasonable to want to believe that David Beckham has more money than he knows what to do with, and thought it'd be a good idea to donate some to a charity? We can't possibly imagine that kind of wealth or what we'd do with it... good on him for doing it.

Who fucking cares who knows? AT LEAST HE'S DOING IT.

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trixymalixy · 01/02/2013 21:43

YABU, he gets the attention whatever he does. A charity is benefitting and maybe some other footballers will copycat. Can only be a good thing IMO.

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youmeatsix · 01/02/2013 21:43

not a fan at all, and who knows what his motives are. i dont suppose the charity will question it though. he doesnt need the money, he doesnt need the publicity, is there anyone on the planet who doesnt know who he is?
regardless of motive, i applaud him for doing it

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LaurieFairyCake · 01/02/2013 21:44

Bollocks. He's getting a knighthood anyway, he doesn't need to do it for that.

He will likely shame some more footballers into doing it.

He will raise the profile of the charity in France where they do the work. Not here as its not necessary.

To criticise someone for being a good egg and giving his cash away is a bit meh. And to suggest its pointless because he's not giving his last farthing is just idiotic. Only nuns take poverty vows - how many on here have given all their money to charity???

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Punkatheart · 01/02/2013 21:44

I like the fact you said he will be donating wags.....give 'em all away, please!

I don't have a problem with Becks. Not love. Not hate. Just - no reaction really...

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andubelievedthat · 01/02/2013 21:47

wll its an opinion but my man opinions he really isn"t that good a football player , great at crossing, but ,not great in any way ,he is as said a brand , he has been given advice prior to this,most likely by mrs "i cannot smile ever".

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aquashiv · 01/02/2013 21:47

I got the impression he was just an ambassador player.

So really a smart move for Brand Beckham.

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landofsoapandglory · 01/02/2013 21:53

YANBU at all! I thought I was the only one thinking it and wanted to kick my TV, until I had exactly the same conversation with DS1(18).

I can not stand David Beckham, or his bloody awful wife! He might be giving his pay cheque from his 5 month contract to charade, but he is pocketing all his sponsorship money! He thinks we are all as thick as he is!

Please can someone explain to me why he should be knighted, exactly? England never won anything when he was Captain of our football team! He bailed out of English football at the first opportunity, when he thought he could make a bit more money abroad and didn't give England a second glance! DS1 is an avid football fan, and follows football from all around the world, he said it wasn't that long ago that Beckham was fighting on the pitch when he was playing for LA Galaxy!

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mummyplonk · 01/02/2013 21:54

He had loads of offers for signings, I am hoping this was because it was best for his family, his own professional satisfaction before he retires, and a 5 month contract, Really? that was obviously a tailor made package for him to do a good deed for a bit before getting back to brand Beckham. Whatever his reasons it will give a hell of a lot of money to a charity who will have a huge profile boost when his name is attached to them.

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forehead · 01/02/2013 21:55

I don't personally know David Beckam and i am sure he is a decent bloke.
However, i am sick to death of 'Brand Beckam' . David Beckam appears to have a big ego and loves to be adored.
There are many football players who give away substanyial amounts to charity , but don't make a song and dance about it.
The man will do anything for a knighthood.

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cantspel · 01/02/2013 21:57

It is a 5 month contract as that is when the season will end.

Who cares why he is doing it. The fact he is should be enough.

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Sparklingbrook · 01/02/2013 22:07

Brand Beckham grates my carrot. Sick of him and his miserable faced wife, parading those children about. And their sickening friendships with Tom cruise and the Ramsey lot. Bleurgh.

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ilovesooty · 01/02/2013 22:09

Who cares? The charity benefits: that's the important thing.

He used to just sound thick too but yesterday I noticed that an annoying smugness appears to have crept into his voice

Just plain nasty.

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EnglishGirlApproximately · 01/02/2013 22:11

Does it matter why he's doing it? He gets publicity and sponsorship, the charity gets money and an improved profile. It's win - win. Maybe he does want a knighthood, again so what? Why is he any less deserving than other celebrities and sportspeople who get honours? I'm not a fan of the honours system generally but if you're going to give people like Bruce Forsyth and Bradley Wiggins knighthoods then I don't see what the problem would be with Beckham getting one.

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sukysue · 01/02/2013 22:11

I really dislike the lot of them. It's all self promotion and ego trips.Brand Beckham will still be making a fortune from sponsorship deals despite giving the wages to charity . I wish they had stayed in the US .

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