David Beckham, who co-founded Inter Miami, was present at the British Academy of Film and TV Awards (Bafta) on Sunday. Following his remarks, supporters have called Beckham out for a tongue-in-cheek remark that the British may never forget or forgive.
The 2012 Olympian-turned-filmmaker Savanah Leaf was given a Bafta for “Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer” by the former England captain, who drew comparisons between the creative process of filmmaking and the commitment needed in sports.
But according to the Lad Bible, Beckham appeared to have committed a crime “tantamount to treason in the eyes of some viewers” when he used the word “soccer” to refer to the sport for which he is well-known.
If you’re wondering how this might elicit such a strong reaction, “football” is thought to be the correct title for the sport in Britain, whilst “soccer” is thought to be a somewhat crude “Americanism.”
The British public found it extremely upsetting when Beckham, a national treasure, used the word “soccer” during an awards ceremony.
“David Beckham it’s a British awards show, you don’t need to mention soccer,” wrote another.
Someone else shouted online, “DAVID BECKHAM, YOU ARE ON THE BAFTAS, DON’T YOU DARE PANDER TO THE AMERICANS.”
Another user posted: “David Beckham calling football soccer at a British awards show,” along with a GIF of someone destroying a computer out of rage.
Though its exact origins are unknown, most people agree that the name “football” refers to a game in which players predominantly use their feet. Some theories even state that the word may have sprung from a game in which participants were on foot rather than horses.
Despite the fact that most British people don’t use the term, “soccer” did begin in Britain.
Oxford University students employed colloquial terminology in the 1800s to distinguish between association football and rugby football: “rugger” and “assoccer,” respectively. Eventually, they shortened the latter term to “soccer.”
In the UK, football and rugby gained popularity, while “soccer” became a slang term for privileged students.
Nonetheless, soccer gained more use and the name stuck in nations like the US and Australia that had their own variations of football.
Brits refer to American football as “gridiron football”.
I am a dedicated student currently in my seventh semester, pursuing a degree in International Relations. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in the professional field as a content writer at the Rangeinn website.