A star-studded lineup of current and former professional footballers, including Premier League and international stars, will take part in a charity football match to raise much-needed funds for the children of Gaza.
The Nujum Sports Children of Gaza exhibition game will take place at The Hive in London at 3pm on June 1.
Proceeds will go towards supporting Islamic Relief’s Gaza Emergency Appeal. Islam Channel is a supporter and media partner of the event
Get tickets: Rally behind the footballers and show your support for the children of Gaza. Get £10 off on tickets with code IRUK
Billed as Anwar El Ghazi XI v Nujum Sports XI, names expected to grace the pitch include Anwar El Ghazi (ex-Aston Villa), Adama Traore (Fulham), Donny Van De Beek (Manchester United), Jeffery Schlupp (Crystal Palace) and Sam Morsy (Ipswich).
Legendary figures like Bacary Sagna (ex-Arsenal and Manchester City), Emile Heskey (ex-Liverpool), Younus Kaboul (ex-Spurs and Portsmouth) and Khalid Boulahrouz (ex-Chelsea) are also due to take part.
The match will also feature players from European leagues, the Scottish Premiership, English Football League tiers, and other international competitions.
Even though organisers say the lineups could change, the impressive array of football stars earmarked to appear showcases the desire of footballers to show support and help the people of Gaza.
“The hardships that the people of Gaza, especially the children, are going through on a daily basis, have deeply affected us all,” said Anwar El Ghazi
“This is why we have come together to how our support and raise money for the Children of Gaza. I invite you to join us on Saturday June 1,”
El Ghazi’s known in the UK for his time at Aston Villa but has also played for Ajax and PSV Eindhoven in his native Holland. He made headlines last November when German football club Mainz terminated his contract over social media posts related to the situation in Palestine.
Following the termination of his contract, El Ghazi said: “Stand for what is right, even if it means standing alone.
“The loss of my livelihood is nothing when compared to the hell being unleashed on the innocent and vulnerable in Gaza.”
Football community supporting children in Gaza
Since the unrelenting military campaign against Gaza intensified, numerous footballers have demonstrated their support and solidarity with the people of the besieged territory.
“All children need to be protected and cared for no matter what their socioeconomic background, ethnicity, or faith. Our duty of care goes beyond borders, and we must act now to make sure our response is genuine, impactful, and urgent,” said Ebadur Rahman, CEO and founder of Nujum Sports.
“Nujum Sports thanks all our athletes who are currently playing professional football and coming out of retirement to add their ‘boots’ to this amazing endeavour.
“A special thank you goes out to Anwar El Ghazi for championing this initiative and for his courage in speaking out against injustice and advocating for all Palestinian children.”
The former Arsenal and Man City defender Bacary Sagna, who’s expected to play in the tournament, hopes the event will raise “a lot of money for the kids, rebuild schools and help them.”
Former Premier League manager Nigel Pearson also lent his voice to the initiative: “I want to give my full support for a brilliant cause. A charity game to raise funds for the children of Gaza.”
