China gets David Beckham to help it out of a fix

 
4 March 2013

David Beckham was today named China’s first global football ambassador as the country try to repair its image within the game after a match-fixing scandal.

The former England skipper, who in January joined Paris St‑Germain until the end of the season, will help promote the Chinese Super League.

Last month, the Chinese Football Association sanctioned 58 people, including two football chiefs, concluding a three-year push to clean up corruption in the sport. Chinese football has also been hit by an exodus of high-profile players such as former Chelsea pair Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka and Beckham is seen as someone who can restore credibility.

The 37-year-old said: “I am honoured to have been asked to play such an important role at this special time in Chinese football history.

“I am excited by the prospect of promoting the world’s greatest game to Chinese sports fans as I have seen first-hand the growing interest in football there.”

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