Paul Scholes has said that he "feels sorry" for former Manchester United teammate David Beckham after his Team GB snub.
One-time England captain Beckham was considered a favourite to fill one of manager Stuart Pearce's three over-23 wildcard places, but was surprisingly left out of the 18-man Olympic squad.
Manchester City defender Micah Richards and Welsh duo Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy were selected in favour of the 37-year-old, and Scholes believes that his friend may have been harshly treated considering his role in helping London acquire the Games.
Speaking to MUTV, Scholes said: "It's a shame about Becks. It's surprising as well, after everything David did to help London get the Olympics.
"That's Stuart Pearce's decision, but I feel sorry for David as I'm sure he'd have loved to have played in it."
London 2012 chairman Lord Coe yesterday announced that Beckham will have two roles at the upcoming Games, which begin in 16 days.
