Anger of Soccer Aid stars raising money for Ukraine after thousands lavished on post-match party
ORGANISERS of the Soccer Aid fundraiser have been blasted as ‘tone deaf’ after throwing a lavish showbiz party immediately after appealing for funds to help children hit by poverty, hunger and the war in Ukraine.
Several of the celebrities who played in the charity game last Sunday were ‘shocked’ at the decision to hold the bash at London’s exclusive, five-star Nobu hotel at a cost of tens of thousands of pounds.
Stars who attended included Idris Elba, Line Of Duty actress Vicky McClure, One Direction
‘Players were stunned there was such a big do that cost so much’
star Liam Payne and the former England footballer Teddy Sheringham. As DJs played, guests were treated to free drinks until the early hours of Monday. Iain Stirling, the narrator on Love Island, was also spotted leaving the party with his wife Laura Whitmore, who presents the ITV2 show.
Soccer Aid, which raises money for Unicef, was screened on ITV, with the match interspersed with films urging viewers to donate. In one, actor Damian Lewis shared the stories of Ukrainian children who desperately need help.
No public donations went towards the party, which was funded by corporate sponsors. But some celebrities questioned whether their backing might have been better directed towards the charity’s work rather than picking up the tab for a bash at a venue where cocktails cost up to £17 each.
One source said: ‘There are some players who took part in the game who were genuinely stunned that afterwards there was such a big do that clearly cost so much money.
‘When there are people who have been made homeless in Ukraine, it all seems quite tone deaf. You have to wonder if people took the time to think about where the money was coming from and if it could have been put to better use. A big deal was made about raising money for those affected by the war so it seems pretty incongruous to have a big celebrity drink-up while that is happening.’
The Mail on Sunday can also reveal that staff involved in the event stayed free at Champneys, a spa hotel where rooms typically cost more than £160 per night, before the match. The cost was again met by sponsors, not from public donations.
The match, which was played at the London Stadium home of West Ham, has so far raised £15.6million for Unicef. Sponsors include JD Sports, Primark, delivery firm Evri and Nobu itself.
It is understood the party was arranged by Cheshire-based events organiser Julie Perry, who has worked on the weddings of several Manchester United players.
Soccer Aid last night said the party was held to thank those who had taken part for free. A spokesman said: ‘One hundred per cent of
Soccer Aid donations go to support the vital work of Unicef.
‘The party that followed the conclusion of the match and the organisation of it was funded entirely by third-party sponsors.’
Launched in 2006, Soccer Aid has raised more than £75 million.
In last weekend’s match, a World XI managed by Arsene Wenger defeated an England coached by Harry Redknapp in a penalty shootout after the sides played out a 2-2 draw in normal time.
Payne captained the England side with retired Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt due to lead the opponents. But just before kick-off Bolt made the touching gesture of handing the captain’s armband to Ukrainian football legend Andriy Shevchenko.