To be cynical about David Beckham's latest antics

[Perriwinkle]

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.

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

[aquashiv]

He was a good midfielder and he could cross a ball.

The pictures of him in his pants are a bit on the old snake front.

[lopsided]

He doesn't have to give his own money away. Most others don't. He's not telling others to give money away like Bono and Geldof.

[SavoirFaire]

I don't think Beckham is any kind of saint - he's a fairly prolific philanderer for one. However, he does an enormous amount for charity - Unicef in particular. It is not all reported on, and he has influenced an enormous number of other people to donate to the charities that he supports - he understands the power that his brand can have in this way and allows charities to use his brand in this way, which is a reasonably honorable thing to do. None of us are perfect.

[sukysue]

Now how do you know he is a 'fairly prolific philanderer'?

[landofsoapandglory]

At least Bradley Wiggins won something for his country. What has David Beckham won? Nothing!

[scattergun]

The Beckhams seem to give spectacular amounts to charity. They support lots of causes. They don't have to. Children with SEN in France get a raw deal compared to here, even in the current climate, and I salute them for donating.

[Shakey1500]

At least he's doing it, surely that's the main reason? Not his motives (if he has any) behind it?

The charity gets money.

The charity gets exposure through it.

Perhaps more extortionately paid sportspeople will do it.

It's a nice thing to do whoever it is who's doing it.

I fail to see what's to be negative about really.

[Sparklingbrook]

As far as I am concerned the Beckhams can do what they like as long as I don't have to see, read or hear about it, same as many other celebs on my 'yawn list'.

[Spice17]

YAB(so)VU - he can't do right for doing wrong and I bet he gives to charity all the time without shouting it from the rooftops but has just decided to mention it this time. Jeez!

[forehead]

Why do people think that other sportsmen will start donating to charity just because DB does.? The people who are already donating to charity will continue to do so and those who don't are unikely to do so.

[NotADragonOfSoup]

Dear god there are some miserable fuckers on this thread.

[SavoirFaire]

He has a very good PR team.

[Shakey1500]

I don't know that they will forehead, but perhaps they might (as I said)

And if one does, that's a good thing right?

[SavoirFaire]

forehead whenever celebs like Beckham get involved in charity campaigns, donations go up massively. That's why charities use people like him. It's very easily measured by charities and a common marketing technique.

[sukysue]

Has he? Would you be a member of that PR team then SAVVY?

[SkinnybitchWannabe]

I'd rather see pictures of his news conference saying how he is donating his wages to charity than those pictures of some footballer twat wiping his arse with £20 notes or the other footballer another twat with thousands of pounds thrown across him.

[SavoirFaire]

OK, I have no direct knowledge of the philandery thing (haha, I wish). But I have heard a number of stories, from sources more reliable than Grazia, which lead me to believe the rumours are accurate. Rebecca Loos not the only one for sure.

[SavoirFaire]

If only my life was so interesting sukysue

[NotSoNervous]

YABU everything he does gets publicity and now so will the charity he's giving it too. It will most likely encourage people to donate more and maybe other players/celebs to do something similar

[AlexReidsLonelyBraincell]

Miserable or not , his desperation for a knighthood is absolutely vomit inducing.
He annoyed me during the Olympics too. I wanted to tip his smug face out of that speedboat and into the cold cold Thames.

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

landscapes I wasn't intending to compare the achievements of Beckham and Wiggins, he just popped into my head as his knighthood is current. I suppose what I'm saying is that all sportsmen/actors/musicians do what they do for themselves, for money and glory etc. so I don't see why honouring one person who is fortunate enough to be a success in their field is any different to honouring another. I'm neither a fan nor a critic of Beckham, I just don't get why giving money to charity is seen as a bad thing just because someone rich and famous is doing it.

[BoneyBackJefferson]

There are many people who say that footballers should donate their wages to charity, now that one has done it its still wrong.

It doesn't make much sense to me.

[sukysue]

Thing is see Savvy I would be too afraid to write something like that anywhere for fear of being traced and prosecuted. I realise I am probably extra cautious but heck that's my nature. I am also very cynical and wonder what ulterior motive Brand Beckham has for giving the money to charity perhaps a tax break? Anyone know of anything?

[forehead]

I am always uncomfortable with people who boast about donating to charity. It just seems wrong.
My dm has given thousands of pounds to various charities over the last twenty years. I only found this out last week....
I love and respect her more for NOT telling me.

[ivykaty44]

giving all your wages to a charity would any of you doubter give a months wages to charity and then not tell a single sole?

I thought he was great at the olympics - but then I loved everything about the olympics (well apart from the man at the end singing)

Not football fan and not a fan of this couple

but to give away all your wages is pretty impressie in my book