13-06-2025
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. )
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"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.
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Soccer Aid 2025 will be played on Sunday (15 June) at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30pm.
