A CHARITY football tournament has had to be cancelled because not enough people signed up to take part.

Abingdon man Mark Heelis was organising the Shirts4SaoPaulo tournament to collect unwanted football shirts and raise money for Brazillian football fans living in poverty.

Mr Heelis is teaming up with international charity Kits4Causes and going to São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, in the summer to give out football shirts.

The tournament was due to take place on Saturday, April 19, at Oxford City FC in Court Place Farm, Marston, but has not seen enough teams sign up.

Mr Heelis, 32, said: “It is with regret that I have had to cancel the Shirts4SaoPaulo tournament.

“It is unfortunate that I do not have enough teams signed up to make it worthwhile running.”

But Mr Heelis is not giving up on his trip to Brazil for the World Cup, and has already collected more than 150 shirts from individuals and clubs.

He said: “I continue to collect unwanted football shirts to donate during my visit to the World Cup. If you have any shirts of any size you no longer want please get in touch.”

Drop shirts into Oxford City FC, in Marsh Lane, or send them marked Shirts 4 São Paulo to: Kits4Causes, Safestore, Birchley Roundabout, Birchfield Lane, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 1DT