The Scottish Mail on Sunday

Soccer Aid fury as thousands are lavished on post-match bash

- By Katie Hind CONSULTANT EDITOR, SHOWBUSINE­SS

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 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 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.

The match, which was played at the London Stadium home of West Ham, has so far raised £15.6million for Unicef.

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 £75million.

In last weekend’s match, a World XI managed by Arsene Wenger defeated an England coached by Harry Redknapp in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw.

Retired sprinter Usain Bolt who was due to lead England, made the touching gesture of handing the captain’s armband to Ukrainian footballer Andriy Shevchenko.

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 ?? ?? HITTING THE BAR: Iain Stirling and Laura Whitmore leaving the five-star bash at the exclusive Nobu hotel and, right, Line of Duty actress Vicky McClure arriving
HITTING THE BAR: Iain Stirling and Laura Whitmore leaving the five-star bash at the exclusive Nobu hotel and, right, Line of Duty actress Vicky McClure arriving

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