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Poems tagged ‘David Beckham’

David Beckham – Ambassador of Greed

Crispin Thomas

Tuesday, May 28th, 2024

What’s in a name?
ambassador for example :
‘an authorised representative /messenger’

As an unpaid volunteer at Forest Green Rovers
I am a ‘Senior'(as in old!) Ambassador for a club I love and know a lot about
I get to help out in the ticket office – often until one minute before the game
I go into schools as part of Football in the Community and Reading Stars
with the coaching staff and help with writing and stuff
oh and yes I get a season ticket in return
for which at 76, I’m very grateful

We also have Junior Ambassadors who do loads in schools
write match reports – waving flags at games
making felow student aware of our green stance and all things eco
and they too get a free season ticket in return

So how does it work in David’s case..
where time is spent busy racking up the companies he supports
and where it seems no brand knowledge or integrity is required ?

Let’s not forget
Beckham worked as an ambassador
during the 2022 Fifa World Cup
reportedly earning £10m whilst attracted much criticism
His business profiting from his business association with Qatar
a country with a shocking history on human rights
its treatment of migrant workers women and the LGBTQ+ community

Back then Beckham said ‘sport could be a “force for good”
and that the World Cup ‘had stimulated debate about the issues’
Er -really David?

Beckham’s latest deal
is as global ambassador for AliExpress
an online retail platform owned by the Chinese tech group Alibaba
a sponsor of the Euro 2024 football tournament

This follows hot on the heels
of partnerships with the suit maker Hugo Boss
and the air fryer maker SharkNinja

He is also an ambassador for Tudor watches
Tempur mattresses Unicef
Nespresso coffee machines
oh and he also fronts a Walkers crisps ad
of course he does

but I remember when he used to be footballer ….
an ambassador for the game
pin up icon and chidren’s hero
the one every kid playing football wanted to be

I recall too vividly – singing your name
as we watched spellbound
in a steaming Greek bar on an island
as you scored that amazing late free kick v Greece
to take us the World Cup Finals in 2001

but what now David ?

How does it feel to be a 100% ambassador for greed?

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Source: http://footballpoets.org/news/poem-tags/david-beckham/