By Andrew Warshaw
July 20 – Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, now a member of the England senior team backroom staff, has backed the controversial decision to leave his one-time teammate David Beckham out of the London 2012 squad.
After playing a prominent role in promoting London’s bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Beckham had been expected to be given one of the three over-age spots but was controversially omitted by head coach Stuart Pearce from the squad which warms up for the Games in Middleborough tonight with a friendly against Brazil.
Pearce opted to select Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards, and Neville said: “There will be people who will argue that David does deserve a position in the GB team for helping to bring the Games here.
“But I think David wanted to be selected on his own merits, for his talent, skill and ability.
“He goes beyond football in his reach around the world and selection for a football team is different from the ambassadorial role he has.
“I’ve spoken to David and he’s disappointed.
“He wanted to be part of it.
“It was a dream of his.
“This would have been a great occasion for him.”
“I’m disappointed for him as a friend, but professionally I can understand that there are difficult decisions to be made.
“The manager has to select the squad he wants – and he didn’t want David in.
“A manager has to make tough decisions.
“You have to respect that.”
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