England defender Ferdinand slams rioters as holland friendly at Wembley is called off due to security concerns
England defenderu00a0Ferdinand slams rioters as Holland friendly at Wembley is called off due to security concernsPeckham-raised England defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed shock at the rioting which has escalated in London and spread to other cities.
England's friendly against Holland at Wembley today has been cancelled after officials ruled they were unable to guarantee the safety of teams and players, Football Association officials said yesterday.
The riots affected Peckham and many other districts of the capital.
Already Carling Cup matches at West Ham and Charlton have been postponed, on the instructions of police.
West Ham were last night due to play Aldershot while Charlton were scheduled to face Reading.
The FA agreed to scrap the match after consulting police and local council authorities.
Ferdinand wrote on Twitter: "England vs Holland game is off, good call. Who wants to see a game of football when our country is in turmoil?"
Ferdinand, 32, earlier yesterday wrote: "The scenes on Sky news right now are shocking..what is this all in aid of?? Innocent peoples homes + 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??"
Ferdinand's England and Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney pleaded for the trouble to stop.
Rooney wrote on Twitter: "These riots are nuts why would people do this to their own country. Own city. This is embarrassing for our country. Stop please."
