Beckham to stay with England in South Africa despite death of grandfather

By Duncan Mackay

December 2 – David Beckham is set to stay in South Africa to help England’s 2018 World Cup bid despite the death of his 83-year-old grandfather, which has left him devastated.

The 34-year-old midfielder had just landed in Cape Town when he was told the news by distraught family members.

Beckham was extremely close to Joe West, who was 83, and often cited him as his footballing inspiration.

Joe was the father of Beckham’s mother Sandra, and the England international attended Tottenham’s school of excellence under the guidance of his grandfather who was a huge Spurs fan.

Beckham’s family are believed to have urged him to stay in Cape Town, where he is due to take part in Friday’s draw for next summer’s World Cup finals on Friday and have crucial meetings with members of FIFA’s Executive Committee to help England’s bid to host the tournament in 2018.

His grandfather’s death follows a serious illness.

In August, the Beckham and his wife, Victoria, rushed back from Los Angeles after he was taken to hospital.

Earlier, Beckham had given England’s controversial World Cup bid a massive boost by holding meetings with two of football’s most powerful figures.

Beckham had talks with FIFA president Sepp Blatter and vice-president Jack Warner, alongside Lord Triesman, the bid and Football Association chairman.

Beckham told Blatter of his delight to be in South Africa, having felt honoured to meet the country’s former president Nelson Mandela on a previous visit.

Beckham said: ”It was a very relaxed, light-hearted conversation and it was good to speak to him.

“Mr Blatter is not just the FIFA president and a powerful man in football, but he’s a very, very good person as well, which is more important.

“When I was last here with England I had the honour of meeting Nelson Mandela.

“That was the highlight of my career.

“To meet such a great man and a strong man and such a passionate man about sport and life will always stay with me.”

Triesman was delighted with Beckham’s impact.

He said: “We have had some excellent meetings, including with the FIFA president Sepp Blatter and with FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.

“David was hugely impressive in those meetings.

“It is clear that legacy is central to the hopes of FIFA and any successful bid.

“This area is one of David’s great passions and will be integral to our bid.

“He is an inspiration to children around the world, which will be evidenced tomorrow when he visits one of the FA’s international development programmes near Cape Town.”

Warner said: “It was a good meeting [with] some pleasant chit-chat and he asked my advice on how best to proceed in the bid, which I was happy to give.”

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734832021labto1734832021ofdlr1734832021owedi1734832021sni@y1734832021akcam1734832021.nacn1734832021ud1734832021.