The annual charity clash between an England XI and a Rest of the World side is due to take place at West Ham’s London Stadium on Sunday, May 31, but its ITV presenting duo face a scheduling conflict with the Champions League final
Arsenal’s Champions League final showdown with Paris Saint-Germain has thrown this year’s Soccer Aid into turmoil. The annual charity clash between an England XI and a Rest of the World side is due to take place at West Ham’s London Stadium on Sunday, May 31.
While the match itself remains unaffected, the presenting lineup for the occasion could be a different matter entirely. Dermot O’Leary and former Arsenal star Alex Scott are both scheduled to play a prominent role in the ITV broadcast, yet discussions are ongoing with bosses regarding their absence from rehearsals due to the Champions League final.
Arsenal are set to face PSG in Budapest the day before, with both Scott and O’Leary eager to be in attendance. However, Soccer Aid bosses are keen to have both presenters back in the UK to ensure their participation in rehearsals.
Speaking on Radio 5 Live, O’Leary said: “We are in negotiations at the moment. It’s not looking good. Ticket is ok. The problem is my contractual obligation to Soccer Aid. The Champions League final is the day before – it’s a huge problem for me.”
When asked whether he required rehearsals, he replied: “I don’t.” He went on to suggest that “everyone else involved” needed a run-through. O’Leary added: “Also I’m doing it with Alex Scott, one of the Arsenal greats.
“No. Right now, we’re in a perilous state of negotiation, put it that way, which I don’t think we’re going to win.
“It’s just people getting nervous understandably about us not getting on said flights and not making it. And also they want to rehearse on Saturday, bearing in mind I’m a producer of Soccer Aid.”
Despite his reluctance to attend rehearsals, O’Leary was careful not to understate the significance of the event itself: “It’s quite a responsibility to be there. I do take it quite seriously – it’s for charity.”
Several high-profile names have already been confirmed for this year’s Soccer Aid. Former England internationals Joe Hart, Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott, Jill Scott, Steph Houghton and Toni Duggan are all set to feature, with celebrity support coming from the likes of Paddy McGuinness, Owen Cooper, Angry Ginge and many more.
Meanwhile, Edwin van der Sar, Leonardo Bonucci and Jordi Alba will line up alongside Chris O’Dowd, Maisie Adam and Simon Neil for the World XI. The dispute over Soccer Aid rehearsals comes in the wake of Declan Rice’s rallying call for as many Arsenal supporters as possible to make the journey to Budapest.
Speaking following the Gunners’ semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid, he said: “Bring it on, bring it on, I’ll be ready. I want every Arsenal fan out there, 200,000 of you, come out. Let’s try and do it because we’re going to need all the support, all the energy and let’s make it special.”
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