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David Beckham is desperately trying to protect his golden boy image after a series of shocking personal emails were released by a group calling itself Football Leaks allegedly revealing he used charity work to boost his image in a cynical bid to win a knighthood.
The football hero has vehemently denied reports that surfaced in numerous European publications yesterday – including The Sun and L’Equipe – that he only got involved in Unicef’s campaigns and projects to build a favourable public image and present himself as a fitting candidate for the senior honour.
In one alleged email, the 41-year-old is said to bashed the honours committee, branding them ‘unappreciative c—-‘ and dismissed lower awards, ranting, ‘unless it’s a knighthood f*** off,’ reports The Sun.
The father-of-four is also alleged to refused to use his own money to fund his charity and turned down millions of pounds in work to raise money for UNICEF.
He is said to have demanded UNICEF pay for a $10,000 (£6685) business class flight despite his sponsors splashing out on a private jet.
He is also said to have set up a sham segment on British TV program, The Jonathan Ross Show to raise the prospect of a knighthood, as well as backing the ‘stay’ campaign in the Scottish independence referendum to win favour with ‘the establishment.’
The Daily Mail has listed a full run down of the alleged damning emails, including excerpts which suggest he was less than happy with British classical music singer Katherine Jenkins being awarded an OBE.
The ex-England captain, who himself received the honour a decade earlier, is reported to have sent a furious email to his publicist, lambasting the decision by the honour’s committee.
In it, he allegedly wrote: ‘Katherine Jenkins OBE for what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops plus taking coke. F****** joke.
The Welsh soprano singer has admitted to taking drugs in the past and expressed regrets about that particular period in her life.
David’s representatives have dismissed the allegations stating that the emails had been ‘hacked and doctored’ from a private account.
The Sun also appears to have taken down the original article.
A spokesperson for David Beckham said: ‘This story is based on outdated material taken out of context from hacked and doctored private emails from a third party server and gives a deliberately inaccurate picture.
‘David Beckham and UNICEF have had a powerful partnership in support of children for over 15 years. The David Beckham 7 Fund specifically has raised millions of pounds and helped millions of vulnerable children around the world.
‘David Beckham has given significant time and energy and has made personal financial donations to the 7 Fund and this commitment will continue long term.
‘Before establishing the 7 Fund, David had supported UNICEF and a number of other charities over many years, including donating his entire earnings from PSG during his time playing there.
‘David and UNICEF are rightly proud of what they have and will continue to achieve together and are happy to let the facts speak for themselves.’
UNICEF in turn said it was ‘extremely proud’ of its work with Beckham, praising his efforts in raising awareness and funds for its causes and personally donating ‘significant’ sums.
‘We are extremely proud of the 7 Fund and all it has achieved for children.
‘Since it launched in February 2015 it has raised millions of pounds for Unicef programmes and reached millions of people around the world with crucial messages about our work for very vulnerable children,’ a statement read.
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