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Jae C. Hong/AP/Press Association Images

No apology from New Zealand PM over Beckham 'jibe'

“That is someone that thinks they’ve overheard a conversation I’ve had,” says John Key.

NEW ZEALAND PRIME Minister John Key insisted he does not owe football star David Beckham an apology after reportedly describing the former England captain as “thick”.

Key made the alleged remark on Friday when telling school students in Dunedin about time he and his son had spent with the LA Galaxy player in 2008, Radio New Zealand reported.

The national broadcaster said Key described Beckham as handsome and “a really nice guy” but “thick”.

Key refused to confirm or deny making the comment Monday and told talkback radio he did not owe anyone an apology, suggesting the conversation may have been misheard.

“That is someone that thinks they’ve overheard a conversation I’ve had,” he told Newstalk ZB.

“It was a private conversation. I was talking to a few people and that’s what [the reporter] thought he heard.”

Beckham visited New Zealand in 2008 for an exhibition match between the LA Galaxy and the Oceania All-Stars in Auckland.

- © AFP, 2012

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    Mute Ross MacCárthaigh
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    Aug 30th 2013, 4:16 PM

    Whoever gets to play Mayo in the final is going to have 31 counties against them.

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    Mute Lord Loverocket
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    Aug 30th 2013, 8:51 PM

    It’s how we like it. Áth Cliath abúuuuu.

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    Mute Adrian Moran
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    Aug 30th 2013, 3:53 PM

    Not afraid at all , we were tested by Tyrone an came out on top .. Everyone in the country knows mayo are a different team this year .. Bring it on Dublin or Kerry cause Sam will b in the west this year !

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    Mute Themanwithnoplan2012
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    Aug 30th 2013, 6:15 PM

    Cool vid.. I hope mayo finally get over the line this year. As a limerick man we feel yere pain

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    Mute Katrina Locke
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    Aug 30th 2013, 3:20 PM

    Different ! I like… :-)

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    Mute Adrian Moran
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    Aug 30th 2013, 3:40 PM

    Leslie Alan rock , silly cocky dub comment best let your football do the talking Sunday … As a mayo man I hope Kerry beat ye !!

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Aug 30th 2013, 3:43 PM

    Nothing cocky. Just humourous. Why would ye want kerry to beat us? Afraid are we?. If its Mayo v dublin in the final and you start like ye did against tyrone, its good night Irene

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    Mute Little Jim
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    Aug 30th 2013, 4:12 PM

    Looking forward to the Dublin/Kerry game, it’ll be like a final.
    Poor Mayo, I think they actually believe the hype.
    Bless ‘em.

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    Mute Sharon Murray
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    Aug 30th 2013, 8:59 PM

    Why are people so begrudging towards Mayo? Seriously?! Its not like they haven’t waited long enough to win without listening to the typical “choke” comments every 5 mins. They are in a different league this year, anyone can see that they have just as good a chance of winning the all ireland as Dublin/Kerry, if not better. Maigh-Eo abu!

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    Mute P O Leary
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    Aug 30th 2013, 10:31 PM

    Its fear……

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    Mute Kieran Casey
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    Aug 31st 2013, 12:58 AM

    Whos begrudging ? Every man and his dog wants Mayo to win and im from Kerry.

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    Mute Sharon Murray
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    Aug 31st 2013, 6:40 AM

    Delighted to hear that Ciaran! And in fairness most people feel the same , was just saying that some people seem a bit put out (scared) that Mayo are doing so well this year and just cant seem to give credit where it’s due! I really think this is the year they will do it and well deserved too!

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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Aug 31st 2013, 9:44 AM

    Don’t take it personally – wait till you win it – then it’s 10 times worse. It’s just petty envy.

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    Mute Stephen Kilbane
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    Aug 30th 2013, 2:45 PM

    Don’t worry about Mayo our boys are training for a final id but be looking at Kerry

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    Mute Chris Kelly
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    Aug 30th 2013, 2:04 PM

    Mayo for sandwiches, dubs for Sam!

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Aug 30th 2013, 3:24 PM

    Dubs could get smoothered in Kerry Gold on Sunday Chris

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    Mute Carcu Sidub
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    Aug 30th 2013, 3:39 PM

    Hang sambos, with Kerry Gold butter, mmmm. All that’s missing is the flask of tae, and a package of Tayho.

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    Mute Larry Bird
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    Aug 30th 2013, 3:29 PM

    Fair play to them.

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    Mute Carcu Sidub
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    Aug 30th 2013, 3:36 PM

    Sure why wouldn’t Mayo be the best at football, there is £uck all else to do there, except your cousin and sheep.

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    Mute Niall H
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    Aug 30th 2013, 3:45 PM

    Fishing, mountain climbing, hill walking, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, beautiful scenery, amazing beaches, good pubs (cheap pints), great restaurants, sense of community, cheaper cost of living. Sure who would want any of that ;)

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    Mute Carcu Sidub
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    Aug 30th 2013, 4:02 PM

    All that from a bottle of Hellmans. Cool.

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Aug 30th 2013, 4:21 PM

    And why does 1/2 of Dublin have a holiday home in Mayo then sid?

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    Mute aisling doyle
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    Aug 30th 2013, 5:36 PM

    As a dub (and proud of it ) ive just come back from mayo and to say they are an amazing bunch is an understatement .i found them very friendly and genuine .. So if the dubs don’t win Sam id like to see mayo .. It will be a cracker of a day on Sunday :)

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Aug 30th 2013, 8:23 PM

    Ah people are always nice to pretty faces :)

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    Mute Niall H
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    Aug 30th 2013, 3:47 PM

    You describe it as humorous Paul. I describe it as original, different and cool. I describe your hairstyle as humorous :)

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Aug 30th 2013, 3:12 PM

    Did he choke when he was on the crest of a wave?

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    Mute Niall H
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    Aug 30th 2013, 3:42 PM

    Wow that’s original :)

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    Mute mark ryan
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    Aug 30th 2013, 3:49 PM

    We’ll beat kerry by 10-15 points, then beat mayo by 6-8, i get slattec everytime i predict this, but watch the dubs slaughter kerry on sunday. #COYBIB

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    vusi
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    Mute vusi
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    Aug 30th 2013, 5:11 PM

    Nice song

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    Mute Mairead
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    Aug 30th 2013, 3:58 PM

    Niall I wouldn’t even respond to that pathetic comment

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    Mute mark ryan
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    Aug 30th 2013, 3:50 PM

    *slatted

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    Mute Christopher Duffy
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    Aug 30th 2013, 9:24 PM

    *slated

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    Mute mark ryan
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    Aug 31st 2013, 10:28 AM

    Jesus ye don’t half build yourselves up in mayo, sharon murray you are simply a hype machine, you and your ilk should be playing things down, not ramping it up. Ye have’nt won it in sixty odd years, hold off on yer “they deserve to win it” untill ye actually win it. Setting youselves up for a massive fall the way some of you carry on.

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