Rio Ferdinand will not line-up alongside John Terry in David Beckham's charity match

Rio Ferdinand will not line up alongside John Terry for David Beckham's all-star charity match

RIO FERDINAND will not line-up alongside John Terry in David Beckham’s all-star charity game at Old Trafford on Saturday after all.

 

Former England centre back pairing Ferdinand and Terry were named in the original squad for Beckham’s Great Britain and Ireland team who face a Rest of the World XI to raise funds for UNICEF, the United Nations children’s charity.

It would have been the first time they had played together since Terry was alleged to have used racist language towards Ferdinand’s younger brother Anton in a Premier League match between QPR and Chelsea at Loftus Road in 2011. Terry was fined and suspended by the FA despite being found not guilty by a magistrates court.

Chelsea skipper Terry is still scheduled to play on Saturday but no reason has been given for Ferdinand’s withdrawal with a press release saying simply “Players who were originally scheduled to play including Rio Ferdinand, Andy Cole, Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta and Massimo Ambrosini can no longer attend Saturday’s match.”

The match is already a sell-out and will mark the return to the Old Trafford dug-out of Sir Alex Ferguson, for the first time since he retired in May 2013. Former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will manage the Rest of the World team.

 

Former Real Madrid team-mates Beckham and Zinedine Zidane will captain the respective teams who include a dazzling array of legends of football.

Beckham, whose team will include fomrer 'Class of 92' team-mates Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville, said: “It’s so exciting that the match for children is almost upon us. This will be the final leg of what has been an incredible journey over the last few weeks playing football matches across the globe.

“The match on Saturday will bring together fantastic friends and team mates to raise awareness and vital funds for UNICEF‘s work helping children in danger all over the world.”

Ancelotti said: : “I am very excited to be part of this occasion and feel honoured in supporting UNICEF for a great cause. Old Trafford evokes great memories and is always very special for me, as it was the site of my first Champions League victory in 2003 against Juventus.” 

 

Ronaldinho, the Brazilian striker who came close to joining United in 2003, said: "David is a role model when it comes to protect the most vulnerable ones. I’m proud to be a part of this unique event that will help our children across the world. I hope to see football fans together for this cause!"

Former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Portugal star Luis Figo: “David and Unicef have been doing incredible work providing life quality to children in need and I’m honoured to be playing with my friends for this noble cause. As aware and concerned citizens, I believe we should have an important role helping others, mainly when it comes to children. I hope to see a stadium full of people who loves the game and who are willing to help.”

Michael Owen, who played for United after spells with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle, said: “Two great teams have been assembled for the match on Saturday at Old Trafford and it was a privilege to be asked to take part.  I am very much looking forward to the game and seeing old friends but more importantly, helping to raise awareness and vital funds for Unicef which will help improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable children across the world.” 

The match will also see world famous tenor Andrea Bocelli performing before kick-off. He commented: “Together with Muhammad Ali, David Beckham is by far the most admired sports idol for me, personally, and for the whole Bocelli family. We are all enthusiastic fans: we have always been rooting for him and we have followed and applauded his sporting triumphs.”

Pre-match entertainment will also be on hand from comedian Jack Whitehall.

Beckham’s return to Old Trafford will complete his epic journey playing seven football matches across multiple continents while filming for an upcoming BBC documentary. During his world tour over the last week 

Beckham has visited UNICEF’s work in Papa New Guinea, Nepal and Djibouti to see for himself how money from his 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund is helping to keep vulnerable children safe.   

 

Beckham had picked Terry and Ferdinand as his centre-back pairing in the charity match for UNICEF

Earlier this year, David marked his 10th year as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador with the launch of his fund and made a personal commitment to use his voice, influence and connections to raise vital funds, fight inequality and rally for lasting change for the world’s most vulnerable children across every region of the world.

GB and Ireland squad:

Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson

Beckham (capt), David Seaman, David James, Jamie Carragher, Sol Campbell, Phil Neville, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Darren Fletcher, Nicky Butt, Trevor Sinclair, Paul Scholes, Gary McAllister, Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen, Peter Crouch, Alan Smith.

Rest of the World:

Manager: Carlo Ancelotti

Zidane (capt), Edwin van der Saar, Raimond Van der Gouw, Cafu, Fernando Hierro, Fernando Couto, Mikael Silvestre, Maxwell, Luis Figo, Robert Pires, Christian Karembeu. Park Ji-sung, Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Vieira, Michael Ballack, Ronaldinho, Dwight Yorke, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer,Patrick Kluivert, Landon Donovan.

Money raised through profits from ticket sales and donations made on match day will go to UNICEF’s work providing lifesaving care including protection, health and nutrition for children in danger.

A spokesman for Ferdinand inisted his withdrawal from the game had nothing to do with Terry's presence. 

He said: "Rio hasn't trained much since retiring as a player 18 months ago and picked up a calf injury trying to get himself fit for this game. It has nothing to do with John Terry. That is all water under the bridge now."