Rod Stewart says he’s been sued twice by fans who were injured by footballs at his concerts
SIR Rod Stewart says he has been sued twice by fans who were injured by footballs he kicked out at his concerts.
The Celtic superfan used regularly to boot signed balls into the crowd for fans — but the gimmick has backfired.
Rod, 78, said he has now stopped the stunt after accidentally hurting a friend during a concert last year.
He said: “I got one or two lawsuits. In fact, when I got to the Hollywood Bowl last year, a dear friend who came all the way over to see me got smashed in the face with a ball.
“It broke his glasses. He’s still having operations. It was very upsetting for both of us.”
Sir Rod joked that he later told his pal: “You’ve got to keep your eye on the ball in all sports, mate.”
He also told the Las Vegas Review-Journal he would now allow only the female members of his band to throw out a few balls, adding: “They’re not going to hurt anybody.”
The Maggie May singer, a talented schoolboy footballer, has previously admitted the stunt was so popular, fans outside his gigs were being mugged.
Sir Rod said: “People went mad. They would walk out with a football and get mugged outside as they’re worth a lot of money.
“It is extraordinary the lengths people will go to get a hold of a football.”
The singer, married to Penny Lancaster, 52, is currently performing a residency in Las Vegas.
And the man behind six No1 singles, including Sailing and Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?, said he has managed to keep fit thanks to football.
He said: “I love to perform, and have always kept myself fit because I’ve always played soccer.
“I work out three times a week. I’ve been doing that over the last 35 years. I don’t smoke, I have a drink now and then. I work the muscles in my legs.
“My dad said, ‘Keep your legs strong, all your life, and you’ll always be mobile’. That’s been very important.”