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Confirmation on whether David Beckham and his LA Galaxy soccer side will be returning to New Zealand has been put off until possibly next week, Auckland Regional Council said today.
The ARC's Mt Smart Stadium is being lined up as the venue for a match between the Galaxy and an Oceania All-Star 11 in November.
The council had expected to have a deal signed today, but chairman Mike Lee said negotiations with the American club hadn't been concluded.
He said the latest information was that an announcement could be made early next week.
Beckham drew a huge crowd of 31,800 fans when the Galaxy beat the Wellington Phoenix 4-1 in an exhibition match at Westpac Stadium last December.
The Galaxy have been linked to a match with A-League club Queensland in Brisbane, and the ARC and the Oceania soccer confederation are keen to have them make the trip across the Tasman as well.
Names mentioned for the prospective Oceania 11 have included the region's player of the century, New Zealander Wynton Rufer, and French World Cup winner Christian Karembeu.
- NZPA