Rioting in London has caused sports fixtures to be postponed on police advice
England's friendly against the Netherlands at Wembley on Wednesday has been called off following three nights of rioting in London.
The Football Association confirmed the decision on their website on Tuesday.
Carling Cup matches at Charlton, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Bristol City have all been postponed.
However, Edgbaston officials say the third Test between
England and India starting in Birmingham on Wednesday will go ahead as
planned.
BBC Sport understands the Premier League has had talks with
the police over this weekend's matches involving London clubs but
believe it is too early for a decision to be taken.
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David Bond assesses the impact on the sporting schedule
The FA's managing director of Club England Adrian Bevington wrote on Twitter:
"Disappointing for game to be called off, but very good communication
with Met [Metropolitan Police], Brent [Council] and Government today -
sensible decision."
Bert van Oostveen, chief executive of the Dutch federation
the KNVB, explained: "The police in London could not guarantee the
safety of our players and our supporters."
The England team were still planning to train as normal at
London Colney on Tuesday morning, before returning to their respective
clubs.
England general manager Franco Baldini told BBC Sport: "At least we got the chance to stay together and have a training session.
"We are a bit disappointed - but mainly because of what has
happened to London. All the rest is not that important. The next time
we'll get together will be before the Bulgaria game on 29 August."
No decision has been taken regarding tickets, with the FA set to make an announcement later.
The inability to stage such an event is a blow not just to
the FA and for England's fans, but for London's reputation less than a
year before a much sterner security challenge, the Olympics. What is not
clear yet is whether the police felt they simply could not spare the
hundreds of officers required at an international match, or instead if
the authorities felt Wembley itself could be a target for disturbances.
Players like Peckham-born Rio Ferdinand will now be expected to appeal
for calm when the FA hold a press conference this afternoon.
BBC sports news correspondent Dan Roan on Twitter
Defender Rio Ferdinand said on Twitter: "England vs Holland game is off, good call. Who wants to see a game of football when our country is in turmoil?"
Meanwhile BBC sports news reporter Joe Wilson, in Birmingham
for the third Test, said on Tuesday that nearby hotels had been advised
to lock their doors.
He wrote on Twitter:
"Helicopters circling over Bull Ring, about half mile from England
hotel. Spoke to England head of security, confident all players safe."
England batsman Kevin Pietersen revealed in a tweet to broadcaster Piers Morgan that the team were locked in their hotel ahead of the Test match as trouble flared in the second city.
A statement from the Indian Cricket Board, while confirming
that the squad were accounted for and safe, said that team management
would be keeping a close eye on the situation.
The teams are staying in Birmingham city centre ahead of the
Test match at Edgbaston, south of the city, with England scheduled to
practise at the ground on Tuesday.
West Ham's game against Aldershot was the first to be called off, announcing the news on the Hammers website, while Charlton's stadium, The Valley, is close to Lewisham where rioting occurred on Monday.
Crystal Palace were also set to play Crawley Town at Selhurst Park on Tuesday but that match was postponed, given the stadium is close to the scene of disorder in Croydon.
With the unrest spreading to other cities across England, Bristol City's match Swindon was also called off for safety reasons.
And Tottenham's Premier League fixture against Everton on
Saturday could also potentially be in doubt, although a statement on the
club's website on Monday said that everything was being done to ensure
the match went ahead, with fans urged to check the official website for updates.
In London, violence broke out on Monday for a third
consecutive day with riot police deployed and firefighters tackling
blazes across the capital, following disturbances in Tottenham on
Saturday evening and Enfield on Sunday night.
Meanwhile, BBC sports news reporter Leon Mann tweeted: "Organisers of Ghana v Nigeria tell me [Tuesday's] game still set to go ahead at Watford FC as planned."
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