Soccer: The riots in London this week have forced the postponement of Tottenham's Barclays Premier League opener at home to Everton, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has confirmed.
Civil unrest in and around Tottenham began last weekend and quickly spread to other areas of the capital and other major cities across England.
Scudamore confirmed the game at White Hart Lane would not be played but was “positive” that the other nine fixtures in the opening round of top-flight games would go ahead.
He said: “The very latest situation is that Tottenham and Everton has gone. The police have done a fantastic job, but it’s been a crime scene all week and the council have not had enough time to do what they need.
“The other nine fixtures are looking positive, subject to any more trouble. At 6pm tonight we will have a very clear picture. The Tottenham game is a real shame but we support the police in what they are doing.
“They want these games to go on as much as we do.”
Tottenham released a statement on their official website which read: “Following ongoing discussions with the necessary authorities regarding this weekend’s Premier League home match against Everton, it has now been confirmed that this fixture will be postponed due to safety concerns relating to the infrastructure of the High Road and access to the stadium caused by last Saturday’s riots.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused to supporters due to matters outside of the control of the club. We shall update fans on when this fixture will be rearranged in due course.”
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, speaking before the confirmation that the Tottenham-Everton game would not go ahead, was hopeful his side’s first match at Liverpool — a city affected by the disorder — would be played.
“I hope it won’t affect this first fixture, but we’ll be governed by the authorities,” Bruce told Sky Sports News. “It’s a problem which society has got and I’ll echo what everybody else thinks who’s seen this outrage.
“It’s sad and disappointing to see people on the rampage like that. I hope the Premier League can start and bring a bit of peace and normality to it, because you don’t want to see these scenes we’ve witnessed.”
The only other weekend fixture so far to fall foul of the demands being placed on police resources by the unrest is the Blue Square Bet Premier match between Telford and Luton.
West Mercia Police requested that the match be postponed.
A Telford statement read: “AFC Telford Utd, Luton Town and the Football Conference were left with little option but to agree with the request due to the unprecedented local and national circumstances.
“With the greatest sincerity, we apologise unreservedly for any inconvenience this has caused and we will issue an announcement as soon as we can with
regards to the rearranged fixture and details regarding tickets purchased for the event.”
