4:28pm UK, Friday February 28, 2003

He might be one of the best-known men in the world - but Americans have never heard of him.

David Beckham has been subbed by a female American footballer to promote the hit film Bend It Like Beckham in the US.

180 david beckham distraught hand on head

Who? Americans red card Becks

The film's distributor has decided not enough Americans know who the England captain is, even though the star is a household name throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Woman's work

Andrew Orr, of The Works, the London company that sold the US distribution rights to Fox Searchlight, said women's World Cup winner Mia Hamm was more famous than Becks in the US.

He added: "The film name is staying the same but it makes sense to use Mia and her name to promote it because she is a household name over there.

"She is better known than David Beckham."

Hit

Mia, who appears in the film, is one of the most famous women footballers after helping the US take gold in the 1996 Olympics and lift the 1999 Women's World Cup.

The film, written and directed by Gurinder Chadha, charts one young Asian girl's determination to be a professional footballer despite the objections of her traditional family.

The film was a big hit in Britain and is launched in selected cities in America from March 12.