ENGLAND'S match with Holland at Wembley tomorrow night has been called off due to the London riots. Police numbers have been stretched after three nights of chaos across the capital.
And the friendly fixture is the latest casualty with the Met needing all their resources to deal with the disorder. The FA hope to reschedule the game for next year and have confirmed all tickets will be refunded in full.
Former Three Lions skipper Rio Ferdinand tweeted: "England v Holland game is off, good call. Who wants to see a game of football when our country is in turmoil?" Widespread looting, fires and running battles on the streets have left Londoners shocked and stunned.
England footballers, led by Ferdinand, reacted on Twitter by calling for an end to the violence. The Manchester United star was born in Peckham, one of the areas affected by the riots. He said: "The scenes right now are shocking. What is this all in aid of? Innocent people's homes and livelihoods have gone up in smoke � why?
"It seems these kids/people have no fear or respect for the police. Maybe the Army will get that respect? "And I am not saying bring violence, I am saying the presence of the Army may make these kids/people think twice about continuing this?
"I can't tell the youths exactly what to do but stealing TVs and trainers and burning innocent people's houses and shops ain't solving nothing at all." Striker Wayne Rooney added: "These riots are nuts, why would people do this to their own country and city?
"This is embarrassing for our country. Please stop." Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart also expressed his disappointment.
He said: "Too bad the game against England has been cancelled, I was was looking forward to it. "Terrible for London what's happening there now."
Meanwhile, tonight's Carling Cup games at Charlton, Crystal Palace, Bristol City and West Ham have been postponed.
And Ghana's international with Nigeria, which was due to be played at Watford's Vicarage Road ground tonight, has also been cancelled.
<<Print>>