Foul cry over Beckham's boots

THE clean-cut image of David Beckham could be in for a battering amid claims that his football boots are endangering the survival of the kangaroo.

Bristol-based animal rights group Viva! is campaigning against adidas, the sportswear maker that uses kangaroo leather in the Predator range of boots favoured by Beckham.

It claims a 'slaughter' to provide leather for the boots threatens extinction for the roo. Viva! previously has succeeded in halting the sale of roo meat in Britain. But any risk of extinction is denied by Adidas - and comes as news to Australian farmers.

Viva! is pushing its campaign with lurid stories of maltreatment, including hunters searching the pouches of females for joeys which they then beat to death with iron bars.

'I don't reckon any roo shooter would have time to do that - and why would they? Where would be the profit in it?' said one farmer. Locals say there are fewer roos due to the worst drought on record, but that they will spring back when the rains come.

Adidas, which has reportedly offered a £100m lifetime sponsorship deal to Beckham, the former Manchester United star now with Real Madrid, brands the claims as ludicrous.

'While adidas makes shoes using kangaroo leather, it does not make shoes from endangered kangaroo species. Adidas is in full compliance with laws governing the slaughter of kangaroos,' a spokesman said.