FA postpone Wembley encounter in the midst of London riots
Published:England’s Wembley encounter with the Netherlands, scheduled for Wednesday night, has been called off following the continued rioting in London.
The Football Association confirmed the news via their website this morning, following the routine meeting with police on Tuesday.
Other matches affected in the capital include the meeting between West Ham and Aldershot, Charlton’s showdown with Reading and Crawley Town’s visit to Crystal Palace; all in the Carling Cup.
Before the news of the England postponement broke a representative from the Metropolitan police issued the following statement: “Every football match in London is subject to assessment around police resources.”
It now appears that the FA has followed this advice.
The club’s also affected have noted the importance of the safety of those who would have been attending the matches.
A statement on Charlton’s website said: “We’ve been monitoring the situation as it’s been developing all evening, and have been in constant contact with the police.
“Clearly the most important factor is people’s safety.
“The police have told us they believe the match should be postponed on safety grounds, and obviously we have taken that advice.”
Despite the postponement of these fixtures there is still a full international and Carling Cup programme this week for punters to bet on.
Standout fixtures in the Carling Cup include the all Nottingham affair when Notts County travel to the City Ground to face Steve McClaren’s Nottingham Forest side – Forest are favourites at 4/7 while County are at 4/1 to cause an upset.
For those looking to bet on how a relegated Premier League side fairs at this stage of the Carling Cup and are left disappointed by the postponement of West Ham’s encounter; Blackpool travel to Sheffield Wednesday on Thursday, with the home side at 6/4 to triumph over Ian Holloway’s side.
The international fixtures see the Republic of Ireland take on Croatia (Ireland are 13/8 to win) and Wales against Australia where Gary Speed’s side are 2/1 to register a victory.
