Why Olly Murs isn’t taking part in Soccer Aid – and how final match was ruined

Olly Murs has been a Soccer Aid favourite for a number of years, but sadly he won't be taking part in this year's star-studded match at West Ham's London stadium

Soccer Aid is kicking off this Sunday as a long-line of star-studded celebs take to the pitch to raise funds for charity - but one of the usual stars won't be in action.

The sporting event will see the likes of England captain and former One Direction star Liam Payne, as well as Line of Duty's Martin Compston, and former former Love Island winner Kem Cetinay.

However, one popular face missing from the line-up is singing-superstar Olly Murs.

Olly, 38, has starred in the charitable event for a number of years - and suffered an injury just minutes after coming on in last year's match.

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The former X Factor singer - who was the captain of the 2021 Soccer Aid match - was visibly hurt after just after 14 minutes on the field.

The Dance With Me Tonight singer was forced to leave the pitch due to injury, and was quickly replaced by rapper Aitch - who was forced to sub in.

At the time, one of the commentators said: “Aitch is going to replace Olly Murs. Olly actually had surgery three or four weeks ago."

“He had a bit of floating bone which attacked his knee and he had to have that removed surgically and as a result of that was only ever going to play for about 15 minutes tonight.”

During the 90-minute match, onlookers and watchers from home flocked to Twitter to share their sadness on the ordeal.

One shocked viewer penned: "Why is olly already being subbed? #SoccerAid ".

"@ollymurs Well done, Olly!! Molly and I have been sat here on the sofa watching #SoccerAid worrying about your knee!!!! Glad you’re coming off to rest it. Lots of love!" Another penned.

Olly was visibly in pain after just 14 minutes

Image:

( ITV)

Meanwhile, another ITV viewer questioned: "Should olly have been playing if he’s only just had surgery ? #SoccerAid".

Just one month prior to the event, Olly revealed with his followers on Instagram that he underwent surgery for his knee, which ultimately affected his performance in the match.

At the time, he said: "Basically, after my second song, a fragment of bone that was in my knee managed - after I jumped - to lodge itself on the back of my knee, which basically shut my leg down.

"During the gig I was just limping the whole time, I couldn't believe it. So, basically I'm in, I've had the surgery."

He explained that he had wanted to get the surgery done because gigs on the way.

"It will be a different gig, I probably won't be running around like I normally do," he added. "There might be a stool for me to sit down on but I can't cancel these gigs."

"It's been a mad 72 hours because I thought the worst, I thought that I might have done my knee again. I thought I ruptured my ACL, to be honest," he added.

Olly was a winner back in 2018

Image:

( Getty Images)

Following the Soccer Aid match last year, Olly revealed that the game would be his last as he vowed to concentrate on his music career.

He said: “I keep getting warned not to play as much football because of my knee so it will probably be my last Soccer Aid, so I have to go out with a bang.

"No pressure on the England team but I have to win this year.

He added: “In the long term, I want to continue my music career and performing.

"I love dancing on stage and moving around to put on a show and the worry is, if my knee isn’t up to scratch, I won’t be able to do that anymore.

"The way I am as a performer is that I like to entertain people and having a bad knee or needing to have a knee replacement isn’t something I want to have any time soon. Sadly, that might mean I can’t keep playing football.

“I can never say never, but the likelihood is it will be the last.”

Soccer Aid takes place on Sunday, June 12 - the event will kick-off at 7.30pm.

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