The #FootballForFires fundraising match will now be played at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday, October 3.
The charity event was initially scheduled to take place at ANZ Stadium on May 23, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic it has been further delayed.
Event promoter Lou Sticca claimed most of the football superstars who had already committed to the match will still play in Australia later this year.
“Communities left devastated by the Australian bushfires last summer are now dealing with the double-whammy of a global health crisis so the #FootballForFires event will take on even greater meaning and importance when it is played in October,” Mr Sticca said.
“Thousands of Australians were planning to visit regional communities at Easter and during the winter to support the businesses so badly damaged by the bushfires, however the COVID-19 emergency has prevented this so there has been no respite in these areas.
“The collective will of players, sponsors and the football community to rally in support of those hurting most has not diminished, so we have re-committed to #FootballForFires and it is our intention for the match to go ahead on the evening of Saturday 3 October at Bankwest Stadium, one of the great football venues of the world.”
More players will be announced for the game in the near future.
“There is every indication that we will have a roster of players as strong – possibly even stronger than the original squad named for #FootballForFires,” Mr Sticca said.
All proceeds from the match will go towards restoring local football clubs that were affected by the Australian bushfires.
FFA CEO James Johnson commented on the importance of rescheduling the event: “As a sport of nearly two million participants, football has an extremely important role to play in slowing down the spread of COVID-19 across Australia so we are supportive of rescheduling the match. It’s vital however, that we continue to acknowledge the terrible effect the bushfires had on so many communities, and do everything we can to provide support through these difficult times.
“Football can play an important role in the rebuild of those communities affected by the bushfires. With some of the biggest names in the world game taking part and given the current circumstances, #FootballForFires will be a showpiece occasion and something the entire football family in Australia and abroad, can really look forward to.”
