Soccer Aid 'forced to abandon Chelsea stadium over owner's links to Vladimir Putin'

Soccer Aid has reportedly had to relocate after stars threatened to pull out if it was held at Chelsea.

The celebrity football match has been held at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge in the past and sees a host of huge stars get together for a game of footy to raise cash for charity.

But this year, it's said some big names were threatening to pull out if it was held at Chelsea FC's home over protest of owner Roman Abramovich's links to Russian president Vladimir Putin amid the country's invasion of Ukraine.

A source told the Mail : "It was very much going to be played at Chelsea. That was the plan but then the war happened.

Paddy McGuinness on the pitch in 2021 (Getty Images)

"Some key players made their feelings clear that they didn’t want any involvement with Chelsea out of protest. There were some very angry people. It was a case of if it happened there, they would not be there.

"Of course there are sanctions now in place that mean Chelsea can’t do any business, so the event couldn’t happen there. It would be impossible for that reason."

The charity match, which is broadcast on ITV, was hosted last year by football star Alex Scott and presenter Dermot O'Leary.

Robbie Williams came up with the idea for the event with his pal Jonathan Wilkes (Getty Images)

Harry Redknapp and Yungblud (Getty Images)

Former England stars like David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher often take part, as well as celebrities such as Paddy McGuinness, Rod Stewart, Robbie Williams and Olly Murs.

At last year's event, teams were coached by Harry Redknapp and Sven Goran Eriksson, with four million people tuning in to cheer the teams on and help raise £13m for charity Unicef UK.

Government sanctions have also been imposed on Premier League club Chelsea following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, meaning it would be extremely difficult for the stadium to be used anyway.

David Beckham and Robbie Williams before the match last year (PA)

Soccer Aid - created by Robbie Williams and pal Jonathan Wilkes in 2006 - was last staged at Chelsea in 2019. It moved to Manchester United's Old Trafford in 2020 and Manchester City's Etihad Stadium last year.

An announcement about where the event will be held this year is expected to be made when tickets go on sale later this week.

Last week, Abramovich was officially sanctioned by the EU due to the oligarch's "long and close ties" to Putin.

The Mirror has contacted representatives for Chelsea FC for comment.