David Beckham Supports ‘Remain’ Camp In EU Referendum, Says No To Brexit

UPDATE: 7:00 a.m. EDT — Fashion designer and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham responded to a tweet from the “leave” camp which used one of her quotes from 1996. In an Instagram post, she said her words had been taken out of context.

“In response to the @leave.eu campaign who have today tried to put a spin on quotes made 20 years ago about keeping or losing the pound, I have to say strongly my comments were not about this referendum and should not be misused in this way!” she wrote, “I believe in my country, I believe in a future for my children where we are stronger together and I support the #remain campaign.”

Original story:

Former England soccer player David Beckham announced Tuesday his support for the “remain” campaign in the EU referendum, which is scheduled to be held June 23, Thursday.

“We live in a vibrant and connected world where together as a people we are strong. For our children and their children we should be facing the problems of the world together and not alone,” the 41-year-old soccer star said.

Beckham shared a picture of himself and former international soccer player Eric Cantona during their time at Manchester United in an Instagram post, which has been liked over 206,000 times so far.

In the caption of the photograph, Beckham wrote that no matter what the outcome of the referendum will be, Britain will always be “Great.” He said both sides had the right to their opinions and that right should always be respected, regardless of what happens in Thursday’s referendum.

He invoked his soccer career too, saying: “I was also privileged to play and live in Madrid, Milan and Paris with teammates from all around Europe and the world. Those great European cities and their passionate fans welcomed me and my family and gave us the opportunity to enjoy their unique and inspiring cultures and people.”

Justice Secretary and Leave campaigner Michael Gove responded to Beckham’s statement, telling the BBC: “Sol Campbell [former England international soccer player] is for “leave” as indeed, I think, is John Barnes [former soccer player and rapper]. As a QPR [Queens Park Rangers, a London-based soccer club] fan, I know what it's like to support the underdog in any race.”

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: “I'm delighted to see David Beckham is supporting #StrongerIN and will vote Remain.”

Beckham’s wife, fashion designer and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, tweeted in support of her husband’s statement. The “leave” campaign immediately replied to her tweet with a statement she made 20 years ago, when she was still a part of the Spice Girls. In the statement, she condemned the EU for destroying the U.K.’s national identity.

The island country will vote Thursday to decide whether to leave or remain in the EU. Those belonging to the “leave” campaign claim the 28-member bloc is holding the U.K. back by imposing too many rules on business and charging billions of pounds a year in membership fees for little in return.

President Barack Obama urged U.K. to vote “remain” and warned that the country would be at the “back of the queue” in any trade deal with the U.S. if it chose to leave.