Audience in uproar over Sam Thompson’s Soccer Aid exit: Injury… or Louis?

Louis Tomlinson and Sam Thompson continued Soccer Aid training together on Saturday after the One Direction star started dating Sam’s ex.

Sam, 32, has insisted there are ‘no hard feelings’ after his ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott, 28, moved on pretty quickly with the singer, 33, following their split in December.

The pair looked in good spirits on the pitch at Champneys in Tring as they practiced ahead of the match, which will take place on Sunday.

Sam has been forced to pull out of the upcoming match after he suffered a string of injuries, including a calf injury, after his 260-mile Soccer Aid challenge.

Instead of playing the game, he will now be helping from the sidelines as a coach after getting injured.

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Louis Tomlinson and Sam Thompson continued Soccer Aid training together on Saturday after the One Direction star started dating Sam's ex
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Louis Tomlinson and Sam Thompson continued Soccer Aid training together on Saturday after the One Direction star started dating Sam’s ex

Sam, 32, has insisted there are 'no hard feelings' after his ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott, 28, moved on pretty quickly with the singer, 33, following their split in December
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Sam, 32, has insisted there are ‘no hard feelings’ after his ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott, 28, moved on pretty quickly with the singer, 33, following their split in December

Meanwhile, Zara swerved the Soccer Aid drama on Friday and visited her parents’ house instead.

Sharing a photo to her Instagram Story with her cat, Zara wrote: ‘Going back to mum and dads for the day = lots of cuddles.’

During an appearance on Friday’s episode of This Morning, Sam confirmed the devastating news that he won’t be taking part in the charity match this Sunday (15 June).

Host Alison Hammond, 50, was keen to know how he’s been since his injury, asking: ‘Have you recovered, how are you doing?’

Sam replied: ‘I’m still very sore, still got the torn calf, however I am here at Soccer Aid HQ and it does not get better than this.

‘We’ve still got the management team of England, we’ve got Vicky McClure, Tyson Fury, who’s stepping into some new shoes and Harry Redknapp…’

He continued: ‘But also because I’m not going to be able to run around, you’ve also got me, part of the management team. Come on baby!’

Dermot said: ‘So you can’t play this year obviously because you’re literally falling apart. So is that right? you’re not going to play but you’re part of the management team?’

The pair looked in good spirits on the pitch at Champneys in Tring as they practiced ahead of the match, which will take place on Sunday
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The pair looked in good spirits on the pitch at Champneys in Tring as they practiced ahead of the match, which will take place on Sunday

Sam posed for a photo with Joe Hart during the session
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Sam posed for a photo with Joe Hart during the session

Louis will be playing for the England side
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Louis will be playing for the England side

Meanwhile, Zara swerved the Soccer Aid drama on Friday and visited her parents' house instead
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Meanwhile, Zara swerved the Soccer Aid drama on Friday and visited her parents’ house instead

Her boyfriend Louis and ex Sam suffered awkward meet up at football training this week as they finally came face-to-face
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Her boyfriend Louis and ex Sam suffered awkward meet up at football training this week as they finally came face-to-face

Sam said: ‘Yeah I came here with high hopes and went to see Gary the physio and I can kick a ball from a standing start, but when it comes to like general chaos of playing competitive sport there’s just no way.

‘I cant really run properly so yeah.

‘They were very kind and said we still want you to be a part, so I get to go on the dark side with Tyson Fury.’

Zara shared a photo of her cat to her Instagram Story as she spent some time at her family home
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Zara shared a photo of her cat to her Instagram Story as she spent some time at her family home

Meanwhile, Sam has since been forced to pull out of the upcoming match after he suffered a string of injuries, including a calf injury, after his 260-mile Soccer Aid challenge
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Meanwhile, Sam has since been forced to pull out of the upcoming match after he suffered a string of injuries, including a calf injury, after his 260-mile Soccer Aid challenge

Zara and Louis seen on romantic holiday in Costa Rica

Instead of playing the game, he will now be helping from the sidelines as a coach
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Instead of playing the game, he will now be helping from the sidelines as a coach

Later on in the episode Sam returned to speak to Alison and Dermot live from the pitch and was alongside actress Bella Ramsey, Paddy McGuinness and Strictly’s Gorka Márquez.

Sam said: ‘Bella, this is your first time at soccer aid, what’re your initial thoughts?’, to which she said she was ‘loving it’.

Paddy said: ‘….once you’re here and you find that everyone is just so lovely, its a really nice vibe and its just magic to be part of.’

Sam also touched upon his decision to step away from the pitch, saying: ‘I actually will be on the sidelines, Bella I don’t know if you’re aware of this, I am an England coach now.

‘Gary has told me I cant play, which i found quite outrageous as well … but I will be on the sidelines with Tyson Fury. I’m also tiny so I don’t know if I’m going to be able to get into his ear.’