The Celebrities: It's meant to be for charity! Gordon Ramsay stretchered off after blistering tackle from Teddy Sheringham at Soccer Aid

Monday, May 28, 2012

It's meant to be for charity! Gordon Ramsay stretchered off after blistering tackle from Teddy Sheringham at Soccer Aid

By Sarah Bull and Colette Fahy

Ramsay is now out of hospital, 'in pain but no long-term damage'

Ouch! The Rest of the World's Gordon Ramsay goes down after a bruising tackle from England's Teddy Sheringham at Soccer Aid and the pain is evident on his face

It’s supposed to be a friendly game to raise money for charity but someone clearly forgot to tell Teddy Sheringham.

The former England footballer took the match so seriously that one of his particularly blistering tackles saw opposing team member Gordon Ramsay stretchered off the pitch.

Even after the tackle, which occurred just five minutes in to the game, Sheringham was oblivious to Ramsay's injury - patting him on the back as the chef lay in agony on the grass.

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He needs oxygen! Concerned medics rush to Ramsay's aid after he was taken out by a bracing tackle from Sheringham during the charity football match

World-famous TV chef Ramsay, who used to play for Glaswegian football club Rangers, had to be given oxygen on the pitch before he was taken off by medics after Sheringham tackled him from behind at the match, held at Manchester's Old Trafford to raise funds for Unicef.

Following the tackle, Ramsay was taken to hospital for further treatment but was released later in the evening.

A spokesperson for Ramsay said: 'Gordon was taken to hospital after injuring his back during the game. He was released after receiving treatment and although he’s in pain today, there shouldn’t be any long term damage.

Floored: Ramsay stood no chance as he was subjected to a crushing tackle from former England international Teddy and had to receive urgent medical attention

Gordon Ramsay is stretchered off during The Soccer Aid match at Old Trafford on Sunday night after a challenge by Sheringham

Joking around: It didn't take long for someone to post a joke version of Ramsay's Wikipedia page, stating that he had been 'killed' by Sheringham during the match

'He would like to thank the medical team at the ground and the hospital for the excellent care he received.'

However, despite Ramsay being fine after the injury, it didn't stop internet jokers posting pictures of the chef's altered Wikipedia page to include the line: 'Gordom Ramsay was killed by Teddy Sheringham in Soccer Aid 2012.'

Ramsay wasn't the only person to get hurt in the match, as Hollywood comedian Will Ferrell also had to leave the pitch early when he suffered a leg injury late in the second half.

Take Him Out: TV presenter Paddy McGuinness tackles Hollywood heartthrob Gerard Butler at the Soccer Aid charity match at Old Trafford in Manchester today

Who's the bigger star now? Mike Myers and Aston Merrygold go head to head during the Soccer Aid charity match in Manchester today

England versus USA: English comedian John Bishop takes on US funnyman Will Ferrell in the Soccer Aid match at Old Trafford, which England won 3-1

But the Anchorman star did manage to hobble off the pitch himself following the injury.

Soccer Aid’s England versus the Rest of the World was organised by Take That’s Robbie Williams and has so far raised more than £4million for the children’s charity.

The Rest of the World team, which included a host of Hollywood stars including captain Michael Sheen, Ferrell, Gerard Butler, Mike Myers, James McAvoy and Edward Norton was managed by Kenny Dalglish with Ian Rush as his assistant.

The perils of the beautiful game: Will Ferrell also suffered a leg injury after a tackle from John Bishop

Agonising: Ferrell looked to be a in a lot of pain as he was treated by a medic on the pitch before hobbling off

Football legends Hernan Crespo, Roy Keane, Clarence Seedorf, Jaap Stam, Edwin Van Der Sar and Freddie Ljungberg all lined out against England but it was Kasabian rocker Serge Pizzorno who opened the scoring leaving them one nil up at half time.

However, England – captained by Williams – staged an impressive comeback in the second half with goals from Sheringham, Robbie’s best pal Jonathan Wilkes and soccer star Kevin Phillips to take home the trophy.

Men of many talents: Hollywood superstars Will and Gerard might have football careers to fall back on if the acting doesn't work out

Captain Fantastic: Michael Sheen aims to stop Merrygold from getting to the ball during Soccer Aid today

Take That's Mark Owen and JLS singers Aston Merrygold and Marvin Humes lined out for England along with comedians John Bishop and Paddy McGuinness and popstar Olly Murs.

However, Pizzorno was a worthy man of the match winner for his sensational chip over the head of former England goalkeeper David Seaman, following a pass from Ljungberg.

Tough work: Olly Murs and Mark Owen joke around as they take a break during the England versus the Rest of the World charity soccer game today

Champions! The England team celebrate after victory against the Rest of the World in the match at Old Trafford for Soccer Aid

Following the goal, Pizzorno dedicated it to Kasabian Tom Meighan, who has just become a father.

West Ham's Sam Allardyce managed the winning team with Peter Reid as his assistant manager.

The Government has pledged to match all the cash raised through donations.

Speaking before the game, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said: ‘The huge public response to the Soccer Aid appeal shows that those watching tonight's game are united not only by a love of football but by a fantastic generosity of spirit.

Ready for battle: Captains Michael Sheen and Robbie Williams lead their teams out for the Soccer Aid charity match today

‘We will reflect that spirit by matching pound for pound from our existing aid budget all public donations, helping Unicef reach hundreds of thousands more children in east and west Africa.

Soccer Aid was shown live on ITV1.