Tottenham match postponed over UK riots

Latest update : 2011-08-12

Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League opening game against Everton on Saturday has been postponed due to days of widespread rioting and looting across the country, the football club announced on Thursday.

REUTERS - Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League opener against Everton on Saturday has been postponed due to this week’s riots in London, the club said on Thursday.

“Following ongoing discussions with the necessary authorities ... it has now been confirmed that this fixture will be postponed due to safety concerns relating to infrastructure of the High Road and access to the stadium caused by last Saturday’s riots,” Spurs said on their website.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore told Sky Sports News a decision on the remainder of the weekend’s topflight fixtures would be made at 1800 local time on Thursday.

IN PICTURES: BIRMINGHAM MOURNS RIOT VICTIMS

Family members are reminded of their loss every time they walk past the spot where Haroon Jahan, Shazad Ali, and Abdul Musavir were knocked down and killed by a hit-and-run driver during the Birmingham riots early Wednesday. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.
The three men were killed as they protected the petrol station in the Winston Green area where they worked. In this picture, workers can be seen fixing the petrol station shop windows. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.
The family of one of the victims lives in a modest house just around the corner from the petrol station. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.
Pictures of the three men posted on lamppost at an impromptu street memorial. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.
A man brings flowers to the memorial. Eye witnesses reported that the hit-and-run driver was black, sparking fears of racial retribution. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.
Close-up of a message left at the memorial. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.
A woman brings flowers to the memorial. Outrage at the killing has been felt across all communities. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.
British youths join Friday prayers at a mosque located just 200 metres from where Haroon Jahan, Shazad Ali, and Abdul Musavir were killed. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.
Community and religious leaders took the opportunity to urge them to not seek retribution against the black community. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.
Listening to the religious leaders' sermon during Friday prayers. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.
Muslims leaving the mosque (which is still under construction) after Friday prayers. Although the Winston Green neighbourhood is largely Pakistani, there are also several black people who worship at the mosque. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.
Birmingham police were out in force in Winston Green as authorities feared that Friday prayers could degenerate into violence. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.
Dozens of worshippers then walked to the impromptu memorial to pray for the dead. In this picture, the father of one of the slain, Tariq Jahan (striped polo shirt, white hair) can be seen joining the mourners. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.
Tariq Jahan took part in a brief prayer before going home. The night before, he called for calm and urged communities to be united. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.
Devastated friends and family members joined the prayer. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.
Police are still deployed in force in the Winston Green area to prevent further disturbances. © Mehdi Chebil/ FRANCE 24.

The capital has been marred by violence this week with hooded youths setting fire to cars and buildings and looting shops, with similar scenes spreading to other English cities.

The first trouble started last Saturday in the Tottenham area not far from the club’s White Hart Lane ground when a protest over the police shooting of a suspect two days earlier led to violence.

A surge in police numbers helped calm streets on Wednesday night after four nights of disorder, which has led to more than 1,000 arrests.

Other matches had already been called off this week, including an international friendly between England and Netherlands at Wembley scheduled for Wednesday, but this is the first Premier League game to be affected.

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill supported the decision, writing on Twitter: “It’s more important that the people are safe as much as we all love footy.”

Date created : 2011-08-11