Australian football clubs bid for Beckham match

[georg]

Australian football clubs bid for Beckham match

http://www.wldcup.com/news/2007/05/20070517_42455_soccer_news.html

Sydney and Melbourne are vying to secure a lucrative match against David Beckham's new US club LA Galaxy, reports said Thursday.

The former England skipper, who is playing out his European career with Spanish giants Real Madrid, will be on the Galaxy's pre-season tour of Asia, which will include a visit to Australia.

Inaugural A-League champions Sydney FC have the money-spinning match tentatively set down for November 27 at the Olympic stadium, reports said.

However reigning champions Melbourne Victory have not given up hope of staging the glamour fixture at their 50,000-plus capacity Docklands stadium.

Beckham, the former Manchester United star, will become the highest paid player in the world when he takes up his five-year, 250 million US dollar deal with the American club.

Melbourne Victory chairman Geoff Lord has confirmed his club has been negotiating with the tour organisers to stage a game against the Galaxy.

"We have been having ongoing discussions for some time," Lord told The Australian newspaper. "Obviously we feel we deserve to play the Galaxy. I am sure we would sell out for such a game."

But Sydney FC officials believe their club has had the inside running with club part-owner Australian and Hollywood actor Anthony LaPaglia involved in the negotiations.

"We have been in talks for some time. Obviously Anthony has played a pivotal role because of his friendship with (Galaxy president and general manager) Alexi Lalas. I am sure we would get a huge crowd," chief executive George Perry told the newspaper.