Fears that ex-United star's academy could become "the largest graffiti site in Europe鈥�

A David Beckham football academy could be built next to Manchester City鈥檚 stadium under regeneration plans being drawn up by the government.

The proposal is part of a package of measures being developed to placate Manchester council over the possible loss of its right to build a supercasino. 黑洞社区 revealed last week that the new housing super agency could also be located on the site.

A source said government documents had suggested locating the academy and the new Homes and Communities Agency on the site that had been reserved for the supercasino.

The source said: 鈥淭his is a London civil servant鈥檚 idea of a good plan. It would become the largest graffiti site in Europe.鈥�

Beckham was formerly a star player at Manchester United, arch rival of Manchester City.

A spokesperson for the Beckham academy said it had not been approached by the government. 鈥淲e have received no proposals of that sort. No such conversations have taken place.鈥�

Currently, there are two Beckham academies, one in Los Angeles and one in Greenwich, south-east London that was funded by Beckham and the US Anschutz Entertainment Group.

Manchester council this week threatened to take the government to court if it blocked the supercasino, a move that could jeopardise the 16 other casinos across the UK.

Tom Russell, chief executive of regeneration body New East Manchester, said a challenge could be mounted under the 2005 Gambling Act. He said: 鈥淭he council will challenge the government if it doesn鈥檛 proceed with our casino but does with others.鈥�

A communities department spokesperson said: 鈥淭he decision will be made by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Our review on alternatives will be published alongside it.鈥�

Manchester won the right to build a supercasino in January, however, Gordon Brown put the policy under review after becoming prime minister.
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