Latest news with #OffAir
Daily Mirror
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Tony Bellew speaks out after hobbling off Soccer Aid pitch with agonising injury
The former boxer had to walk off the pitch just six minutes into Soccer Aid. He could be seen covering his face and appeared to be distraught as he was led to paramedics Tony Bellew has broken his silence after being forced off just minutes into this year's Soccer Aid charity match with what appeared to be a painful groin injury. The former boxing world champion, 42, was named in the starting XI for the World XI team at Old Trafford but lasted less than six minutes on the pitch. Bellew had his left leg heavily strapped before kick-off, and appeared to be in visible pain as he signalled to the bench and was helped off the field by physios. Moments after Wayne Rooney gave England the lead with the fastest goal in Soccer Aid history after just four minutes, Bellew was seen clutching his leg and walking slowly towards the tunnel, covering his face with his hands. On ITV, commentator Sam Matterface revealed that Bellew had reportedly told staff at the side of the pitch: "I heard it go." He added grimly, "That can't be good." Comedian and co-commentator Jason Manford echoed his concerns, saying: "That's not good." Bellew has taken to Instagram to address fans and organisers after his early exit, saying: "Thank you Soccer Aid for @unicef_uk for letting me complete another dream. It's been an unbelievable experience to be around such legendary players and people. "All that stuff aside, the most important thing about this and what it's all about is the donations that save and change people's lives.. please please please give what you can." Fans sent him their well wishes, with one writing: "I hope you recover quickly from that injury! Take care and all the best." Another added: "Hope you're feeling ok this morning. That looked painful last night." A third chimed in: "Hope Tony is ok. Wishing him a speedy recovery." Before the game had even begun, Bellew's manager Harry Redknapp told fans the Liverpudlian had already picked up a groin injury while training for Soccer Aid. While on the Off Air podcast, Redknapp explained: "Tony Bellew, ex-world champion, he's just decided to boot a ball without even warming up and just tore his groin. He's so tough he'll probably play on with it." However, the injury seems to have gotten worse early in the match, forcing Bellew to withdraw. Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez was brought on as his replacement. Despite being born in Liverpool, Bellew was representing the World XI side for a second consecutive year. His teammates included football legends like Rivaldo, David Trezeguet and Nemanja Vidic, as well as celebrities Asim Chaudhry, Richard Gadd and Maisie Adam. They faced an England squad made up of ex-professionals such as Jack Wilshere, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney, alongside stars like Louis Tomlinson, Bella Ramsey and Alex Brooker.
Wales Online
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Injured Tony Bellew helped off pitch at Soccer Aid as worrying message emerges
Injured Tony Bellew helped off pitch at Soccer Aid as worrying message emerges The former boxing world champion looked devastated as he limped off moments into the match at Old Trafford There was concern for Bellew as he was helped off the pitch Tony Bellew had to be helped off the pitch as he was forced off with a nasty looking injury just moments into Soccer Aid at Old Trafford. The former boxing world champion was named in the starting lineup for the World XI as they took on England in the annual charity match, but his evening was cut short as he limped off after six minutes on the field. Bellew looked in a great deal of discomfort as he was helped off the pitch, having signalled for help from his side's physio team. It is unclear whether Bellew was injured in a tackle or not, but he struggled to walk as he left the field at the Theatre of Dreams. However, it was later revealed by commentator Sam Matterface that the Liverpudlian had reportedly told the medical team that "something went bang and I heard it go". On hearing the news, co-commentator Jason Manford added: "That's not good". Ahead of the match, Harry Redknapp had given a concerning injury update about Bellew, saying he had suffered a groin injury in training. Article continues below "We give up our time, free of charge, and come and enjoy it to raise as much money as we can," Redknapp told Jane Garvey and Fi Glover on the Off Air podcast. "Tony Bellew, ex-world champion, he's just decided to boot a ball without even warming up and just tore his groin. "He's so tough he'll probably play on with it." After his early departure, Bellew was replaced by Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez. It came moments after Wayne Rooney opened the scoring for England on his return to Old Trafford, with the Manchester United legend pouncing on a loose ball to turn it past former teammate Edwin van der Sar. It was the fastest ever goal in Soccer Aid history, coming after just four minutes. Article continues below Despite Bellew being born in Liverpool, he was representing the World XI for the second year running - with the exact reason still unclear. His teammates this year include football legends Rivaldo, David Trezeguet and Nemanja Vidic, as well as the likes of Asim Chaudhry, Richard Gadd and Maisie Adam. They are up against an England side containing ex-professionals Paul Scholes, Jack Wilshere and Rooney, as well as famous faces like Louis Tomlinson, Bella Ramsey and Alex Brooker.
Wales Online
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Harry Redknapp shares worrying Tony Bellew injury update just days before Soccer Aid
Harry Redknapp shares worrying Tony Bellew injury update just days before Soccer Aid Soccer Aid raised more than £15 million last year as England ran out 6-3 winners, but Tony Bellew faces a race against time to be fit for this year's event Harry Redknapp spills worrying Tony Bellew injury update ahead of Soccer Aid (Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire. ) Soccer Aid will return to Old Trafford on Sunday (June 15) as the England side, made up of ex-pros and celebs, look to defend their title against the Soccer Aid XI. Former heavyweight boxing champion, Tyson Fury, who has teased a return to the ring at United's stadium, will be in the home dug-out for the match, coaching England's squad in the build-up. Last year's 6-3 triumph, which raised more than £15 million, marked the first England victory in the charity game since 2018 with the likes of Eden Hazard, Alessandro Del Piero and Usain Bolt participating for the opposing team. Fellow boxer and former I'm a Celeb contestant, Tony Bellow is slated for another runout, for the Soccer Aid XI, but could be set to miss out on the action according to returning coach Harry Redknapp. "We all give up our time, free of charge, and come and enjoy it to raise as much money as we can," Redknapp told Jane Garvey and Fi Glover during the latest instalment of their Off Air podcast before, revealing some worrying news from the training camp. Training is underway for the game. (Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire. ) Article continues below "Tony Bellew, ex-world champion, he's just decided to boot a ball without even warming up and just tore his groin. He's so tough he'll probably play on with it." Redknapp, who formerly managed Tottenham Hotspur, spoke glowingly of four-time Olympic gold medalist, Sir Mo Farah. "He's not bad, Mo - sometimes the ball can be a bit of a hindrance to him," Harry joked. "It's running off the ball he's at his best, we send him on decoy runs. But he's great, and what a great guy [off the pitch]." Elsewhere, Harry picked out singer-songwriter Tom Grennan as the celebrity who has impressed him the most with his footballing ability throughout his time coaching for the event. He continued: "Tom's got great ability, [he] can really play. I think he could have played at a [proofessional] level, you know. Certainly lower divisions, without a doubt, he is a real talent." Alongside Harry Redknapp and Tyson Fury, Manchester United's all-time top goalscorer Wayne Rooney and Line of Duty star Vicky McClure will feature on the coaching staff. For the England team, you can expect to see the aforementioned Tom Grennan, Steven Bartlett, Paddy McGuinness and James Nelson-Joyce. Jermain Defoe, Toni Duggan and Gary Neville will be among the pros on display. As for the Soccer Aid XI team, Tony Bellew will be in the line-up if he can regain fitness in time alongside Strictly dancer Gorka Marquez, YouTuber Biz Zuu and former Euro and Serie A winner Leonardo Bonucci. Article continues below Soccer Aid 2025 will be played on Sunday (15 June) at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30pm.
