The Football Association has said Sunday's charity football event involving the Chelsea Old Boys and Chelsea Ladies cannot go ahead.

The FA have ruled that even in a friendly charity game men and women cannot play together.

Despite moves by Chelsea to address concerns, the FA have forced the game at Imber Court to be cancelled.

Following voluntary contact from Chelsea with the FA last week the event was made into an exhibition training game, however with only three days to go the FA have still said the game, which was being played to raise money for the Chelsea Past Players' Trust, cannot go ahead.

A Chelsea statement said: "It's a real shame that our men and women have been prevented from enjoying a friendly game which had as its sole purpose to raise money for our Past Players' Trust which assists ex-players and staff members who have financial or health difficulties.

'We were expecting a large crowd to come down to Imber Court to enjoy the day. Our community coaches were on hand to provide kids with fun football as well.

'In fairness, certain individuals within the FA were sympathetic and attempted to work with us to find a solution. The Old Boys team do not play in 11-a-side competition matches, this was purely a charity fun game with a unique twist.

'Unfortunately the intransigence of others to allow any flexibility won the day, which is sad. On behalf of the club we would like to apologise to the families who were planning to come down on Sunday.'

The FA's position is that it prohibits mixed football games over the age of 11.

In 2005, the Department of Media, Culture and Sport Select Committee recommended flexibility in the rule.

It said: 'We recommend that the absolute prohibition on mixed football over the age of 11 should be removed and that an informed assessment by team managers and coaches of individuals' capacity to play in mixed teams should govern selection policy.'

Other countries in Europe allow mixed football to certain levels to encourage the development of the women's game. Other sports including tennis and golf also allow a degree of flexibility, most notably when the female golf prodigy Michelle Wie was allowed to compete against men in USPGA Tour events.

A number of the Chelsea Ladies were also allowed to take part in a warm-up game for last year's Women's World Cup against an Under 18 Chinese men's side.