Galaxy Cancel Game In Australia Due To Beckham's Possible Loan

Galaxy, With Beckham, Still Slated To Play Exhibition In New Zealand

MLS Galaxy President of Business Operations Tom Payne today in a statement said that the team's scheduled exhibition against Australia A-League club Queensland Roar on December 11 in Brisbane, Australia, "would not go ahead," according to the AAP. The Galaxy and MLS are nearing a deal to loan MF David Beckham to Italian Serie A club AC Milan, and Payne said, "We were not in a position to absolutely guarantee David Beckham's availability" for the game. Payne: "To avoid disappointment for the many fans that were expected to travel to Brisbane from all parts of Australia for this event, it was decided to postpone this game before tickets went on sale to the general public. Those fans with tickets as a result of a priority pre-purchase this week will receive a full refund." The news comes "just one day before tickets were set to go on sale for the Brisbane game that was expected to draw a capacity 52,000-strong crowd" at Suncorp Stadium. The Galaxy, with Beckham, are still scheduled to play an exhibition game on December 6 in Auckland, New Zealand (AAP, 10/29).