Chunkz Responds to Joey Barton’s Controversial Comments About Sidemen Charity Match at Wembley
YouTube star Chunkz has responded forcefully to Joey Barton after the former Premier League player launched an offensive rant about the recent Sidemen charity football event at Wembley Stadium.
The highly successful charity match, which took place on Saturday afternoon, saw British YouTube collective ‘The Sidemen’ host their annual fundraising event at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium. An impressive crowd of 90,000 fans witnessed an entertaining 9-9 draw between Sidemen FC and the YouTube All-Stars, with the All-Stars ultimately claiming victory in a penalty shootout.
Despite the event’s tremendous charitable success, Barton took to social media with harsh criticism about the use of the venue.
Record-Breaking Charity Fundraising Achievements
The Sidemen charity match demonstrated remarkable growth in its fundraising capabilities:
- More than doubled their previous fundraising total
- Raised an extraordinary £4,733,004 for various charities
- Beneficiaries included BBC Children in Need
- Previous 2023 event at London Stadium raised £2 million
However, Barton’s social media tirade focused not on these charitable achievements but on his disapproval of using Wembley Stadium for the event. His comments included offensive language and disparaging remarks about participants, particularly targeting one creator’s appearance.
Chunkz, who has participated in multiple charity football events including Soccer Aid, quickly defended the event, responding: “How much money have you raised for charity you grumpy f***. Have a day off.”
When faced with pushback from fans highlighting the charitable nature of the event, Barton doubled down on his criticism, arguing that using Wembley just a week before the Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle United was inappropriate.
The former Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder stated: “Not the point mate. We have the first major of the season next Sunday. Would the Masters let the goons loose on the golf course and week before the tournament.”
Barton further claimed the timing “insults the League cup” and that “Wembley should remain special. Not a circus.”
The controversy highlights the tension between traditional sports institutions and the growing influence of content creators in the sporting world. The Sidemen, led by KSI and other prominent British YouTubers, have transformed their charity matches into major sporting events that attract substantial crowds and generate significant charitable donations.
Despite Barton’s complaints, the match’s impressive attendance figures and fundraising total demonstrate the substantial public interest and positive impact of creator-led sporting events.
Want to support creator-led charitable initiatives? Follow The Sidemen’s social channels to stay updated on their next fundraising events and discover how you can contribute to worthy causes while enjoying entertaining content.