Rod Stewart has copped backlash online for flying out to see a FIFA World Cup match one day after cancelling his concert due to health issues.
The singer was scheduled to perform at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, California, when he cancelled the concert 40 minutes before it was due to start, due to an acute upper respiratory infection that led to laryngitis.
Stewart apologised for the cancellation, sharing a photo explaining his situation on social media.
“Well, here I am in beautiful Chula Vista as the stage is being taken down around me. Following treatment, I’m feeling much better, but my voice is not,” he wrote.
“I’m very disappointed and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to my fans. I did everything I could to make the show happen tonight, but unfortunately it just wasn’t possible. I will do my utmost to reschedule.”
The following day, the singer shared a video of himself and his sons on his private jet, on the way to Boston for Scotland’s FIFA World Cup match against Haiti.
“Me and the boys off to Boston to see our Scotland 🏴 in the World Cup! No Scotland no party,” he wrote in the caption.
Stewart, who is a longtime supporter of Scotland’s national soccer team, noted the match marked the country’s first World Cup appearance since 1998.
In the video, he said he had been to seven World Cups, but this would be the first time he is attending it with his sons Liam and Alastair.
“It’s been 28 years, so these kids, I’ve told them about it but they’ve never been,” he said in the clip.
“So we want them to get through to the next round and I’ll die a happy man,” Stewart added. “That would be great. C’mon Scotland!”
Stewart ended the clip by dancing in his seat as his sons repeatedly sang “No Scotland, no party!”
Footage later emerged of Stewart having a good time at the match, which was quickly followed by criticism from fans in his comments.
“This feels rather disingenuous, especially after your cancellation last night. Too ill to perform but okay to fly across the country for soccer?” wrote one person on Instagram.
“So you blew off all the people in San Diego that wanted to see you in concert but able to go to the world cup I see! I’m a huge fan of yours but I don’t think that’s cool,” added another.
“I understand that shows sometimes have to be canceled, and if there was a legitimate reason, most fans would have accepted it,” one fan commented.
“What’s hard to accept is seeing you apparently celebrating on a plane with friends less than 24 hours after thousands of people were sent home disappointed in San Diego,” they continued.
“Many traveled long distances, paid for hotels, parking, tickets, and took time off work to be there,” they added.
“Then to see you flying across the country for a soccer game the very next morning makes the situation feel even more tone deaf. The cancellation was frustrating enough, but this comes across as incredibly dismissive of the fans who support your career. A little empathy and awareness would have gone a long way.”
Others came to the singers defense, noting that while it was “disappointing and frustrating” it doesn’t mean that “their life, especially with their family, also stops.”
“You can clearly hear in this video he is unwell by his voice and people have said he was unwell in previous concerts. I am a life long fan of Rod’s and I wouldn’t want him performing if it could possibly mean irreparable damage to his voice!!” they continued.
“There’s a difference between watching a game and performing for two hours. Just saying,” another commented.
A spokesperson for Stewart told the San Diego Union-Tribune that the singer’s physician stood by show’s cancellation as he had to undergo “a few rounds of steroids and treatment in the hopes of being able to perform.”
“He was there [at the venue] but we had to text because he had no voice,” the representative added. “Evidently, [the steroids] kicked in but too late for the show.”
Fans were automatically refunded following the cancellation, while those who purchased tickets through third-party resale platforms were told to contact their seller for reimbursement.
Image: Instagram
