By Andrew Warshaw
August 11 – The widespread civil unrest that has gripped parts of England snared its first Premier League game today when Saturday’s sold-out fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton was called off.
Tottenham, a mainly run-down area of North London, was where the rioting began last weekend following the fatal shooting by police of a local taxi driver, an alleged drug dealer.
The looting and burning, pictures of which were flashed round the world, took place close to the club’s White Hart Lane stadium and sparked a series of copycat disturbances, first in other areas of the capital, then in cities across the country.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy hoped the eagerly-awaited opening fixture – always a showpiece occasion for which tickets are bought well in advance – could still go ahead but on the advice of the police, no chances were taken.
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said he was “positive” the other nine games in the opening round of top-flight fixtures would go ahead as planned with a decision scheduled for later in the day.
“The police have done a fantastic job, but it’s been a crime scene all week and the [local] Council have not had enough time to do what they need,” said Scudamore.
“The other nine fixtures are looking positive, subject to any more trouble.
“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 website confirming the game, which had been scheduled to kick off at the traditional time of 3pm, would have to be rescheduled.
“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,” a statement said.
“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.”
The rioting had nothing to do with football hooliganism and the postponement of the Tottenham-Everton game – a huge disappointment to fans of both clubs – will cause both resentment towards the rioters among law-abiding supporters as well as a good deal of embarrassment.
English football is passionately followed throughout the world and the start of the new Premier League season as is as keenly anticipated overseas as it is at home.
Calling off the game in the very heart of where the mayhem first started came as no surprise however.
A spate of midweek cup games elsewhere had already been postponed as had Wednesday night’s prestige friendly between England and Holland at Wembley.
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