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Galaxy Sets Restrictions on Beckham's Movement

Oct. 26, 2007

He might be fantasizing about Arsenal or Manchester United, but David Beckham will have to content himself with facing the Vancouver Whitecaps, the Minnesota Thunder, Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix this winter as he attempts to regain fitness and form, thus preserving his England prospects.

Major League Soccer (MLS) yesterday firmly ruled out any possibility that Beckham could go on loan to a Barclays Premier League club - or anywhere else - in January. There had been speculation that as soon as the transfer window opens, the 32-year-old would seek a temporary move so that he could play top-level football.

That would enhance his hopes of reaching a century of England caps (he has 97) by keeping him in the spotlight at a time when thoughts will be turning to the finals of Euro 2008, should Steve McClaren's side qualify.

"It's never been discussed and it's simply not going to happen," Ivan Gazidis, the deputy commissioner of MLS, told The Times at the Landmark Hotel in London, as many of the richest and most powerful people in world sport gathered for a conference called "Sport2020: the changing face of the global sports industry".

"It's not a practical possibility given the way the transfer windows work in conjunction with the Fifa rules. It would require us loaning him out from January until July at a minimum. That's not going to happen. He's going to be playing in the MLS season next year [beginning in late March]."

Beckham will report for preseason duty with the Los Angeles Galaxy in February. Before then, the Galaxy take part in friendlies against modest opposition from North America and Australia . Beckham could yet join an English club and train with them without making a first-team appearance.

Despite concerns about the physical toll of the midfield player's long-distance commute, Don Garber, the MLS commissioner, said that he would be "very happy" if Beckham regains his England place.

Garber maintained that the costly experiment of bringing Beckham to the United States had been a success, even though injuries restricted him to only six hours on the pitch, with the Galaxy failing to reach the play-offs.

"It certainly wasn't what we had hoped, but we didn't expect that the popularity and interest in David would be as high as it turned out to be," Garber said. "We're disappointed, David's disappointed, but, overall, the experience was so positive for the league, the LA Galaxy and for David that we're sure it [Beckham's injury-riddled first season] will be a little blip on the radar. The whole thing will be terrific over a five-year period.

"This is the best season in the history of our league, not just because of David, but because of the other players that have been signed, new stadiums that have been built, new television contracts, the list goes on and on."

Garber believes that Beckham's injuries will have a positive byproduct: an extended honeymoon period because casual fans have not had their curiosity sated. "Beckham didn't play most of this year, so we almost have a first year in our second year," Garber said. "When he's ready to retire, there will be many other star players around the world who will look at the great experience he's had and the terrific league we have and will be interested in coming over and providing us with the same value."

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