Ethics commission probing into Becks' 25 mln-dollar Miami-based MLS deal

A US ethics commission is reportedly investigating whether England football legend David Beckham and his business partners broke the law by meeting with public officials during their research into starting a Miami-based Major League Soccer (MLS) team.

Earlier this month, Beckham confirmed he had exercised an option to purchase a MLS franchise in Miami for a discount fee of 25 million dollars, although the deal would be finalised when the former England captain can secure a financing plan and location for a new stadium.

According to Fox News, however, a South Florida ethics commission is specifically investigating the propriety of Beckham having dined with the mayor of Miami-Dade County without having first registered as a lobbyist before pitching the politician on a proposal that would require official action.

The report mentioned that the county law stipulates that anyone seeking to 'influence an ordinance, resolution, action, decision or recommendation' on the part of a local public official must register as a lobbyist within five days of a pitch or proposal.

However, a source close to Beckham said that the former Manchester United player did not need to register as a lobbyist during the meeting as every person there only generally spoke of the possibility of bringing an MLS team to Miami.

The source also said that Beckham and his associates only began asking about the possibility of situating a new stadium at PortMiami after the dinner occurred, or later in November.