Football for Fires event sidelined by global pandemic

The #FootballForFires fund-raising match that had attracted the support of some of the world’s greatest players of the past decade is unable to proceed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Promoter Lou Sticca, from Tribal Sports Group, who was organising the event in conjunction with Football Federation Australia, said all concerned had accepted the game could not go ahead in the current global state of uncertainty.

Mr Sticca said fans who had purchased tickets for #FootballForFires would receive full refunds.

“While our collective thoughts remain with those devastated by the Australian bushfires last summer, global circumstances have forced us to abandon the Football For Fires game,” Mr Sticca said.

“The health and safety of players and supporters needs to be our priority at this time.

“We were also faced with insurmountable challenges to secure players for international travel and arrival prior to the game, the prospect of mandatory 14-days in isolation, and a reduced stadium capacity for the game.

“We have been left with no alternative but to cancel the event.”

Organizers have thanked those who donated to Red Cross Australia’s fund for Football For Fires, with special mention to donations from Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan),  Celtic Football Club (Scotland), Sydney FC, New York Cosmos (USA), Fiorentina (Italy) among others.

Star players from 16 nations, including some of the biggest names in Australian football, had committed to the Football For Fires match that was announced on 28 January after the devastating bushfires of the 2019/20 summer.

The game was originally set down for ANZ Stadium on Saturday 23 May but was re-scheduled for Bankwest Stadium on Saturday 3 October.

All purchased tickets will be fully refunded, with Ticketek to contact all purchasers to advise of the refund process.