An entire squad of music stars –Melanie C, Tom Grennan, the Pretenders, Alesha Dixon, and The Libertines, Tom Walker, Pete Doherty – are set to provide the musical entertainment at upcoming charity football match Game4Ukraine.
The charity football match will be hosted at Chelsea FC’s home ground Stamford Bridge on August 5. The goal is to raise funds to rebuild Mykhailo-Kotsiubynskyi School in Chernihiv Oblast, which was heavily damaged by shell attacks in March 2022. The charity gig forms part of the United24’s wider effords to raise money for various projects across Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of the country last year.
“I support the initiative of Andriy Shevchenko and Oleksandr Zinchenko to hold a charity match in London,” said the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who created United24 as a fundraising initiative. “The Game4Ukraine at Stamford Bridge is an opportunity for the football community all over the world to unite, show solidarity, help Ukraine, help our children return to their school desks, and also attract the attention of the entire world community to the war once more.”
The game also features a star-studded line-up, with footballers including Gerard Piqué, Antonio Valencia, Patrick Viera, and Per Mertesacker, as well as Blues legends Gianfranco Zola, Ricardo Carvalho, and Petr Cech.
Teams will be coached by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Chelsea Women’s boss Emma Hayes.
Wenger said of his involvement: “I’m thrilled to be able to play a part in Game4Ukraine. It’s such a fantastic example of how powerful the football community can be when it comes together.”
He added: “We have an incredible line-up of talent involved in Game4Ukraine and I’m honoured to be leading them out, alongside Emma Hayes. It’s going to be a great day with lots of entertainment, and hopefully we can raise enough money to begin the vital rebuild of schools in Ukraine.”
Household names from the entertainment industry are also set to take part, including comedian Russell Howard, and singer-songwriters James Arthur and Tom Grennan.
Coventry City fan Tom Grennan commented: “I feel so lucky to be able to be a part of Game4Ukraine where two of my biggest passions, music and football will come together for the most special cause, I can’t wait to play in the match and perform to a packed-out stadium and entertain all the fans.”
He continued: “It’s amazing and humbling and I can’t wait to wear my Game4Ukraine shirt alongside such an A list cast of international legends on the pitch and on the stage.”
Spice Girls’ Melanie C added: “The power of music and sport translates all over the world, across generations. I am honoured to show my support for the children of Ukraine in raising vital funds for their future. It’s going to be an incredible day of entertainment both on and off the pitch for everyone, and I’ll be making sure everyone is up dancing in the Half-Time Show.”
Arsenal footballer and Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko will take part in a non-playing capacity, as he continues to recover in time for the Gunners’ Community Shield clash against Manchester City on August 6.
Former Dynamo Kyiv and Chelsea forward and Ukrainian countryman Andriy Shevchenko also takes on a captaincy role for the game.
Chelsea winger and fellow Ukrainian international Mykhailo Mudryk is also set to make an appearance at the charity match.
Game4Ukraine takes place on August 5, with the match being streamed in the UK and Ireland exclusively on Sky, with fans also able to listen exclusively on TalkSport.
