Former England captain David Beckham’s dream of becoming the owner of a football club were dealt a blow this week by the US city of Miami, which rejected his plan to build a football stadium on the city’s waterfront.
Although Florida tourism chiefs have publicly welcomed Beckham’s plan to launch a major league soccer franchise in Miami, his proposal for a 20,000 capacity stadium to be built next to a major league basketball arena was deemed ‘inappropriate’ by the Miami mayor.
The Manchester United legend, who hinted on a TV documentary David Beckham Into the Unknown screened this week that he would like to resume his football career – possibly as a player-owner – has travelled frequently to Miami in recent months to launch Beckham Miami United.
However his business group, which includes British entrepreneur Simon Fuller and mobile phone services billionaire Marcelo Claure, is required to finalise a stadium deal before it can win approval from the US professional football league to open a club.
Earlier plans to build in PortMiami were opposed by several groups, including Royal Caribbean.
A joint statement released by Beckham Miami United and the city of Miami to announce the latest planning application had failed said: "Mayor Regalado and the City Manager expressed their strong desire to bring professional soccer to Miami and their deep respect for David Beckham and his partners.
"Miami Beckham United will spend the coming months weighing alternatives."
Beckham’s real estate adviser John Alschuler added: "Our team’s going to pause. They’re going to consider all alternatives and look forward to constructive engagement."
