Featured Image Credit: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA/John Phillips/Getty Images

David Beckham has sparked absolute outrage amongst Brits with just a single word during his appearance at the 77th British Academy Film Awards last night (18 February).

The former Manchester United star took to the stage to present the award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer at arguably one of the biggest nights in British cinema.

However, the 48-year-old has clearly rubbed fellow Brits the wrong way during his BAFTAs speech, with many BBC viewers rushing to social media to voice their anger at his choice of wording.

When introducing the nominated debuts – which included Blue Bag Life, Bobi Wine: The People’s President, How To Have Sex and Is There Anybody Out There? – David said: “They say that practise makes perfect.

“Well, that might be true in football, or soccer, but it’s not true for the filmmakers nominated for outstanding debut. They got it right first time.”

David, who was looking dapper in a black tux and bow tie, then announced the winner as Earth Mama, a 2023 drama film directed and written by Savanah Leaf, based on the short film The Heart Still Hums by Leaf and Taylor Russell, however many viewers seemed totally hung up on the fact Becks used the American term of ‘soccer’ instead of ‘football’.

One X, formerly Twitter, user hit out: “David Beckham calling football soccer at a British awards show.”

David Beckham caused quite the stir online following his BAFTAs speech. Credit: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA

Quoting the footy icon, another slammed: “‘That might be true in football, or soccer-‘ DAVID BECKHAM YOU ARE ON THE BAFTAS DON’T YOU DARE PANDER TO THE AMERICANS!!!”

“Don’t say soccer, Dave. Pandering to the Americans,” echoed a third, while a fourth chimed in: “David Beckham it’s a British awards show, you don’t need to mention soccer.”

A fifth added: “Don’t you dare say soccer, David. Who even are you?”

Others, however, clearly weren’t too fussed as one wrote: “He said both football and soccer. Sit down.”

“He said ‘Football’ and then ‘Soccer’ with a smile obviously in reference to all the American actors in the audience. If people really were fuming about this then lucky them for not having anything major to fume about,” penned a second.

A final user pointed out: “He said football first.”

David, who also played for Real Madrid, England, AC Milan and PSG, spent lots of times across the pond over in the States as a player at LA Galaxy.

Tyla has reached out to David Beckham’s representatives for comment.