Arsenal, Chelsea will donate Community Shield fee to Grenfell Tower victims
Around £1.25 million is hoped to be raised for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire in North Kensington, west London after Arsenal and Chelsea pledged Friday to donate the fee raised from August's Community Shield encounter.
Currently, 79 have been declared dead from the June 14 tragedy, but the Guardian's Caroline Davies expects that figure could significantly rise as police pick through findings from an event which shook a country already reeling after terror attacks in London and Manchester.
Many footballers have pledged to help those affected by the disaster - including Raheem Sterling, Ryan Bertrand, and Hector Bellerin - and the English Football League and its 72 member clubs donated £175,000 on Friday. Now, two of England's leading clubs have designated the earnings from the 2017-18 season's traditional curtain-raiser to the Grenfell Tower fund.
"With the rest of the nation, Arsenal Football Club was shocked by the incident at Grenfell Tower and our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragedy," said Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis.
"The club stands side by side with Chelsea in reaching out to the community and expressing our support and solidarity for those who have lost friends and family, their homes and their sense of security in the wake of this tragic event.
"We also pay tribute to our city's emergency services who showed immense courage and bravery. We play the FA Community Shield on Sunday, August 6, with the victims and the heroes of this terrible tragedy close to our hearts."
Fans will also be offered the opportunity to donate £5 when purchasing tickets for the match.