Football Poets

David Beckham – Ambassador of Greed

¶ 1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 What’s in a name?
ambassador for example :
‘an authorised representative /messenger’

¶ 2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 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

¶ 3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 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

¶ 4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 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 ?

¶ 5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 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

¶ 6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 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?

¶ 7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 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

¶ 8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 This follows hot on the heels
of partnerships with the suit maker Hugo Boss
and the air fryer maker SharkNinja

¶ 9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 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

¶ 10 Leave a comment on verse 10 0 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

¶ 11 Leave a comment on verse 11 0 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

¶ 12 Leave a comment on verse 12 0 but what now David ?

¶ 13 Leave a comment on verse 13 0 How does it feel to be a 100% ambassador for greed?

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