A charity legends match between Liverpool and Chelsea saw a surprising flashpoint as Dennis Wise and Jay Spearing engaged in a heated confrontation.
The incident occurred during the friendly game at Anfield this Saturday. The match was organized to raise funds for the LFC Foundation and other charitable causes including Forever Reds, Chelsea FC Foundation, and Chelsea Players’ Trust.
The legends game featured numerous former stars from both clubs, with Liverpool`s team including prominent figures like Steven Gerrard, Jerzy Dudek, and Dirk Kuyt.
Chelsea`s legends lineup boasted stars such as Claude Makelele, Florent Malouda, and Ramires.
Liverpool emerged victorious with a 2-0 score, thanks to two goals from substitute Peter Crouch.
Despite the friendly spirit of the event, tensions rose in the first half when Wise and Spearing clashed.
Both Wise and Spearing were known for their combative midfield styles during their professional careers.
Neither player backed down in a challenge for the ball around the 27th minute of the match.
Wise, aged 58, reacted strongly to the challenge from Spearing, 36.
The former Chelsea captain, a multiple trophy winner including two FA Cups and a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, confronted Spearing directly after their tussle.
Wise exchanged words with Spearing and wagged a finger in his face as players from both teams intervened to de-escalate the situation.
Eventually, the players were separated, and the game continued in a more amicable manner.
Spearing made 55 appearances for Liverpool after progressing through their youth academy.
In 2013, he moved to Bolton, and later played for Blackpool and Tranmere. He returned to Liverpool in 2022 to take on a player-coach role with the club`s youth teams.
Wise`s career began at Wimbledon in 1985, where he won the FA Cup in 1988.
He then made a record-breaking £1.6 million transfer to Chelsea in 1990 and played 446 games for the club.
Wise, who represented England 21 times, also played for Leicester, Millwall, Southampton, and Coventry before retiring in 2006.
After retiring as a player, Wise took on player-manager roles at Millwall and then managed Swindon Town and Leeds United.
He later held executive positions at Newcastle and Italian club Como, where Cesc Fabregas is currently the manager in Serie A.
