Beckham out of Olympic squad

ThePM’s spokeswoman was asked whether David Cameron was disappointed that hewouldn’t be seeing David Beckham playing at the Olympics. We were told itwas one for the selectors but that the PM thinks “he’s a superb ambassador forthe sport and for Britain.”

David Beckham, 37, had hoped to be named as one of three over-age players but has not been selected by Olympic team coach Stuart Pearce.

It is understood Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards will be the three over-age players confirmed by Pearce next week.

Beckham is understood to have been told by Pearce that he had chosen to pick Richards instead because he wanted stronger defensive options.

BBC presenter and former England striker Gary Lineker has expressed his surprise at David Beckham's exclusion:

In a statement, David Beckham said:

David Beckham has not been selected for the Team GB Olympic football squad, according to a statement from the player.

Matt Dickinson, Chief Sports Correspondent at The Times, says Micah Richards, Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy will be part of the GB Olympic football squad from which David Beckham has been omitted.

David Beckham has been left out of the Great Britain Olympic football squad, according to reports in The Times.

Team GB manager Stuart Pearce watched Beckham in Los Angeles last week but has gone against the expectations of the BOA, Locog and and the FA in omitting him from the side, the newspaper says.