Bbc news soccer aid

Soccer Aid is an annual charity football match played between two teams of celebrities and former professional footballers, with the aim of raising money for UNICEF UK. The event is organized by Comic Relief and has been held every two years since 2006.

The match is played at Kicking Out Cancer, a charity football pitch in London, and features a mix of former professional footballers, celebrities, and sports personalities. The teams are usually divided into two, with one team representing England and the other representing the Rest of the World.

The event has become a popular and entertaining spectacle, with many high-profile celebrities taking part over the years. Some notable participants include David Beckham, Robbie Williams, Gordon Ramsay, and Olly Murs.

The match is played in a friendly and light-hearted manner, with the focus on raising money for UNICEF UK and its work to help vulnerable children around the world. The event has raised millions of pounds for the charity since its inception.

Here are some key facts about Soccer Aid:

• The first Soccer Aid match was held in 2006 and raised £1.5 million for UNICEF UK.
• The event has since become a biennial fixture, with matches held in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020.
• The 2020 match was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but still raised over £6 million for UNICEF UK.
• The event has featured a range of celebrities and former footballers, including David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Gordon Ramsay, and Usain Bolt.
• The match is played in a 6-a-side format, with each team consisting of 11 players.
• The event is broadcast live on ITV and STV in the UK, and has also been shown on other channels around the world.

Overall, Soccer Aid is a fun and entertaining event that raises vital funds for UNICEF UK and its work to help vulnerable children around the world.