Damning emails reveal David Beckham used charity work to win a knighthood

David Beckham’s multi-million pound image has been shattered after damning emails revealed he used charity work as part of a desperate campaign to win a knighthood.

In a series of bombshell leaks, the football legend branded the honours committee “unappreciative c----” and dismissed lower awards, ranting, “unless it’s a knighthood f*** off” reported The Sun.


As reported by a number of European media outlets, including L’Equipe, the furious star also initially refused to use his own money to fund his charity and turned down millions of pounds in work to raise money for UNICEF. He demanded UNICEF pay for a $10,000 (£6685) business class flight despite his sponsors splashing out on a private jet. He set up a sham segment on the Jonathan Ross chat show to raise the prospect of a knighthood and backed the “stay” campaign in the Scottish independence referendum to win favour with “the establishment”. Numerous European media outlets also claim he moaned that his involvement in the Ingenious tax avoidance scheme was hampering his chances and he raged when British singer Katherine Jenkins was handed an OBE. He also wants to add to his fortune by being one of the first civilians to go into space.

Leaked emails reveal David Beckham initially refused to use his own money to fund his charity and turned down millions of pounds in work to raise money for UNICEF.

The former England captain turned philanthropist and businessman raged at the failure of officials to make him Sir David and admitted his charitable efforts were a conscious effort to win an honour, reported The Sun.
One of his closest advisers even said his work with UNICEF and other good causes had “a halo effect” for the 41-year-old star.
The cache of leaked messages between Beckham, who currently holds an OBE, and his closest aides could see his reputation shattered as it reveals the concerted efforts to win favour from the honours committee and the public.

David Beckham met Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala. Picture: InstagramSource:Supplied

Messages also suggest he forcefully backed Scottish independence at the 2014 referendum in a bid to appeal to “the establishment” and raise his chances of being rewarded with a gong.


After missing out on a knighthood in 2013, the footballer — who has an estimated networth of $455 million — wrote a furious email to his long-time PR man Simon Oliveira, raging that classical star Katherine Jenkins had been handed an OBE.
“Katherine Jenkins OBE for what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops plus taking coke. F------ joke,” Beckham allegedly wrote.


Jenkins has previously admitted to taking drugs in her past, including cocaine and ecstasy, and confessed “curiosity got the better of me”.

David Beckham meets a family living in Ali Addeh Refugee Camp in Djibouti. Beckham travelled to every continent on Earth for a BBC documentary about grassroots football. 

And railing at the honours committee, the organisation who recommend worthy recipients for titles, Beckham also blasted, “They’re a bunch of c---- I expected nothing less,” he wrote of the Honours Committee in late December 2013.
“Who decides on the honours?
“It’s a disgrace to be honest and if I was American I would of got something like this ten years ago.”
In response, Oliveira wrote to Beckham’s agent and best friend David Gardner, “This gives us even more reason to work this year on Unicef, the armed forces, and other charitable commitments.”
He also advised Beckham to “remain positive” in public, and avoid the temptation to direct jibes or critical comments at the committee in public adding.
“We need to remain dignified if asked, but if you want me to work up something cutting I will work up one, but my advice is it’s not productive,” he said.
But his efforts hit a road block when HM Revenue & Customs in the UK clamped down on the use of the Ingenious scheme used by a host of celebrities, including Beckham, to reduce their tax bill.
The financial loophole involved investing in loss-making companies to offset tax obligations, and officials are said to have been concerned that his involvement was not compatible with him becoming Sir David.

The shocking dossier about the star, considered the golden boy of British sport and an international charitable icon, was obtained by the European Investigative Collaborations network and Der Spiegel, which were then published across Europe on respected newspaper websites including L’Equipe in France and El Mundo in Spain.
Only a week ago the A-lister, married to former Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer Victoria Beckham, spoke about his charity work on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs.
“It’s not for vanity. I want to get involved, it’s important that I do this,” The UNICEF ambassador told host Kirsty Young.
Last night Oliveria told The Sun the information was “stolen and hacked”.


David Beckham was also warned from posting a pic of his gold laptop by his advisers — who wanted him to be a “man of the people”.
David Beckham became involved with UNICEF in 2005, launching his own fund with the charity in 2015 to help protect children in danger.
The 41-year-old also met with the UK’s former Prime Minister David Cameron, calling for more action to help children affected by malnutrition.
As part of his work with the charity, Beckham has visited the Philippines after it was hit by Typhoon Haiyan, as well as visiting South Africa to raise awareness for children living with HIV and AIDS.

The Beckham family are said to have a wealth of more than $800 million.
New pictures of the soccer ace visiting a village in Swaziland, Africa, were recently shared with media, with Beckham pictured speaking to local children during the trip.
The former Manchester United player recently starred in a new UNICEF campaign that delivered a stark message about violence towards children.
He has previously spoken out about the work he has performed with UNICEF, saying the family did a lot for the humanitarian charity.


His wife, fashion icon Victoria Beckham, has also worked with the United Nations — with her work in fashion earning her a place on the Queen’s 2017 Honours list.
But it’s not the first time that Beckham’s fiery temper has been put on show.
The Sun recently revealed that he had a blazing public row in the Maldives with former F1 boss Ron Dennis.