London 2012 Olympics: David Beckham omission was purely for 'footballing reasons', says Stuart Pearce "From the offset, when I sat down with the (Football Association) chairman David Bernstein, some time before Christmas, he offered me the opportunity to pick the squad," he said. Right through this process I have had carte blanche to pick whatever players I regard as best. I do enough hours watching matches and I think I've done due diligence on all the players here. And in regard to ticket sales and merchandise: I'm a football man and I pick solely on football ability. I have to back my opinion and that's what I have done. The Team GB manager added: "I have a vast amount of respect for David and what he has done to bring the Olympics here. I have a duty of care to everyone to pick in my mind the best squad. I have treated all the players in the same manner. I have given plenty of time to view each player's form and this is the squad I have come up with. I don't think there's a football manager around who picks on sentiment.