ITV forced to admit Soccer Aid’s £11.5m fundraiser was WRONG as total is slashed by £2.2m after ‘administrative error’
ITV has been forced to admit it got its numbers wrong when counting up the total amount raised from Sunday’s Soccer Aid charity match. The channel has apologised for an “administrative error” that has slashed the donations from £11.5million to £9.3m. Celebrities including Olly Murs, Mark Wright and Kem Cetinay all played in a tense […]
ITV has been forced to admit it got its numbers wrong when counting up the total amount raised from Sunday’s Soccer Aid charity match.
The channel has apologised for an “administrative error” that has slashed the donations from £11.5million to £9.3m.
Celebrities including Olly Murs, Mark Wright and Kem Cetinay all played in a tense match at Old Trafford.
At full time, it was announced that a record-breaking £11,552,577 had been raised during the kickabout.
Revealing the error in a statement, an ITV spokesman said: “Last Sunday’s Soccer Aid event was watched by millions on ITV whose donations contributed to a record fundraising total which will help Unicef provide a better start in life for young people in need across the world.
“Regrettably due to an administrative error within ITV the total figure raised of £11.5m announced on air by ITV at the end of Sunday night’s Soccer Aid for Unicef was incorrect.
“The total amount of money raised by the end of the show was £9.3m.
“This is still the largest sum raised in Soccer Aid for Unicef history – beating the £6.7m raised in 2019.
“ITV would like to apologise fully for this error which should not detract from the commitment made by all those involved, including Unicef, the players, coaching staff, production and all supporting partners, as well as the huge generosity of the public, who we would like to thank agin for making the event such a success.
“As previously planned, all donation platforms will remain open until Tuesday, October 6 and ITV will continue to promote the event on air and online to deliver the highest possible final total.”
The annual match was held at Old Trafford packed with celebs and former stars for England XI vs the Rest of the World.
Most read in Celebrity
The charity event returned months later than originally planned after coronavirus caused delays.
The Rest of the World won against England on penalties.
All of the money raised from Soccer Aid goes to Unicef and every £1 pledged will be turned into £3 thanks to support from the Government and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance.