Players condemn rioting as friendly match is called off
Source: Agencies |
August 10, 2011, Wednesday
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ENGLAND called off today's friendly match against the Netherlands at Wembley Stadium amid the wave of rioting and looting across London.
The Football Association made the decision yesterday morning after talks with the British government and the Metropolitan Police, who struggled to contain a third night of unrest in the British capital.
"It is with regret that tomorrow's international fixture with Holland at Wembley has been called off," the Football Association said in a brief statement.
About 70,000 tickets had already been sold for the match in the north London, which was abandoned before the Dutch team flew to England yesterday.
"We will remain in the Netherlands," Dutch football association spokeswoman Monique Kessel said. "It's a shame," Kessel added.
The move came as British authorities struggled to contain the spiraling violence across the city.
"The disturbances in London are such that all available police capacity is being reserved for that," the Dutch football association added in a statement. "Given that a large event such as an international match at Wembley requires policing, it has been decided not to let it be played."
Conflict zone
In the Peckham district of south London where England defender Rio Ferdinand grew up, a building was set ablaze along with a bus, which was not carrying passengers. Onlookers described the scene as resembling a conflict zone.
Ferdinand, who watched the violence unfold on television at the England team hotel, said on Twitter that it was a "good call" to cancel the match. "Who wants to see a game of football when our country is in turmoil," Ferdinand wrote.
Ferdinand also described the escalating violence as "madness" and questioned whether soldiers should be put on the streets of the British capital.
England teammate Wayne Rooney appealed for an end to the violence.
"These riots are nuts why would people do this to there (sic) own country. Own city," the striker wrote on Twitter.
"This is embarrassing for our country. Stop please."
Netherlands forward Rafael van der Vaart also weighed in via Twitter.
"Too bad the game against England has been canceled...was looking forward to it, Wembley. Terrible for London what's happening there now," Van der Vaart wrote.
The Football Association made the decision yesterday morning after talks with the British government and the Metropolitan Police, who struggled to contain a third night of unrest in the British capital.
"It is with regret that tomorrow's international fixture with Holland at Wembley has been called off," the Football Association said in a brief statement.
About 70,000 tickets had already been sold for the match in the north London, which was abandoned before the Dutch team flew to England yesterday.
"We will remain in the Netherlands," Dutch football association spokeswoman Monique Kessel said. "It's a shame," Kessel added.
The move came as British authorities struggled to contain the spiraling violence across the city.
"The disturbances in London are such that all available police capacity is being reserved for that," the Dutch football association added in a statement. "Given that a large event such as an international match at Wembley requires policing, it has been decided not to let it be played."
Conflict zone
In the Peckham district of south London where England defender Rio Ferdinand grew up, a building was set ablaze along with a bus, which was not carrying passengers. Onlookers described the scene as resembling a conflict zone.
Ferdinand, who watched the violence unfold on television at the England team hotel, said on Twitter that it was a "good call" to cancel the match. "Who wants to see a game of football when our country is in turmoil," Ferdinand wrote.
Ferdinand also described the escalating violence as "madness" and questioned whether soldiers should be put on the streets of the British capital.
England teammate Wayne Rooney appealed for an end to the violence.
"These riots are nuts why would people do this to there (sic) own country. Own city," the striker wrote on Twitter.
"This is embarrassing for our country. Stop please."
Netherlands forward Rafael van der Vaart also weighed in via Twitter.
"Too bad the game against England has been canceled...was looking forward to it, Wembley. Terrible for London what's happening there now," Van der Vaart wrote.
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