Source: Daily_Mail
Beckham can be England's Nelson Mandela, says South Africa chief
[LNB]Figurehead: David Beckham[LNB]England's much criticisedbid for the 2018World Cup will need topromote David Beckham toan even more senior role ifthey are to have a chance towin the contest, accordingto the man who won the2010 World Cup for SouthAfrica.[LNB]With the bid team'schairman Lord Triesman,the former Governmentminister and current FAchairman, widely dismissedin international circles as aninappropriate figurehead,England's 2018 team havealready held discussionswith former Arsenal vice chairmanDavid Dein, afigure with years ofworldwide experience infootball politics, to bolsterthe current board ofdirectors. [LNB]Now Dr Danny Jordaan,chief executive of SouthAfrica 2010 and a hugelyinfluential figure in FIFAcircles, is also urgingEngland to revamp theirstrategy and make more useof Beckham, who is anambassador for the 2018 bidbut can only perform alimited role because of hisplaying schedule. [LNB]Jordaan said: 'DavidBeckham is quiteinfluential in world footballand that is what the Englandbid for 2018 needs apersonality. We had aNelson Mandela.[LNB]'You needthat.'You must ask yourself,'Who is the person, or whoare those persons, thatpeople around the worldwould like to have a photowith?' [LNB]'Clearly, in our case,everyone wanted a photoopportunity with NelsonMandela.[LNB]'So if we approachedpeople and said, 'We arecoming to see you andNelson Mandela is comingwith us' then the answerwas, 'Yes, of course. We areavailable'.'[LNB]'The date becomesimmediately available if youhave someone like Mandela.If you say, 'Nelson Mandelais not available on this date;he is available on this date',people say, 'No, no I'm fine.I'm available'.[LNB]'So you have to look atwhat is your trigger.Beckham clearly is one suchperson.'[LNB] David Beckham still raking it in (despite playing in a not-so-Major League)David Beckham's AC Milan move is complete, claims Italian side's chief Adriano GallianiPATRICK COLLINS: David Beckham, quite simply, is a man for every match[LNB] Explore more:People:Nelson Mandela, David Beckham, Danny Jordaan, David DeinPlaces:South Africa, United Kingdom
