'World Cup flops' Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard pull out of Gladiator-style skills event

England footballers Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard have pulled out of the star-studded skills event, A:3K, which would have earned them £500,000 each. 

The duo would have pocketed the cash for starring in a series of Gladiator-style challenges with global football stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas, Didier Drogba and David Villa at London’s O2 arena on July 17.

“Both Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney have made it clear they believe it would be inappropriate for them to participate in A:3K at this time,” The Mirror quoted Terry Byrne, A:3K Director, as saying.

“We fully understand and respect both players’ decisions. We could have replaced them with two other players but feel the players involved are six of the best in the world - and that is what we promised we would deliver,” he added.

The TV challenge, at £35 a ticket, was to be staged in front of 20,000 fans.

Organisers now hope to reschedule the event with the same line-up in June 2011.