? Match is postponed due to safety concerns
? Rest of Premier League games expected to go ahead
Tottenham Hotspur's match against Everton has been called off due to safety concerns following the riots, but the rest of the weekend's Premier League fixtures are expected to go ahead as planned.
The Premier League's chief executive Richard Scudamore confirmed that the decision had been taken in consultation with police following damage to the area around White Hart Lane during this week's riots.
Scudamore said: "The very latest situation is that Tottenham and Everton has gone. The police have done a fantastic job, but it's been a crime scene all week and the council have not had enough time to do what they need.
"The other nine fixtures are looking positive, subject to any more trouble. At 6pm tonight we will have a very clear picture. The Tottenham game is a real shame but we support the police in what they are doing. They want these games to go on as much as we do."
The disorder which spread across the country began in Tottenham on Saturday night, sparked by the shooting of a 29-year-old man by the police.
A Tottenham statement on the club's website confirmed that the decision had been taken due to "safety concerns relating to [the] infrastructure of the High Road and access to the stadium caused by last Saturday's riots".
Everton's Tim Cahill reacted to the postponement on Twitter, writing: "If the game's called off then it's understandable due to sad events. It's more important that the people are safe as much as we all love footy."
The Spurs defender Michael Dawson admitted his disappointment at his delayed start to the season, but understood the reasons for the postponement. "Of course is it is (disappointing)," he said. "We've worked for six weeks trying to get fit and now the first week's not going to be happening for us. "But safety is the main thing, and the police wouldn't have called it off lightly."
His Chelsea counterpart John Terry, who was due to captain England in Wednesday's friendly against Holland until it was called off, shared Dawson's sentiments. He said: "It was unfortunate for us, a lot of kids would have been at the game, but as Michael says, safety is the most important thing."
The Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has said he remains hopeful that the rest of the schedule will go ahead, with his club due to play Liverpool, one of the cities affected by civil disorder, on Saturday.
Bruce said: "I think I stand for the whole of the country. We are outraged and shocked by what we have seen. I hope the Premier League can get started. In my opinion, it would be wrong to let these idiots and thugs who are doing what they are doing disrupt everything. We will be guided by the authorities, but I echo what most people think and what most people are saying. I am saddened and shocked that our country could come to something like that."
Football League clubs are also assessing safety concerns before confirming if any matches may be affected. In the Blue Square Bet Premier League, Saturday's game between Telford and Luton has already been postponed after a request by West Mercia police.
A Telford statement read: "AFC Telford Utd, Luton Town and the Football Conference were left with little option but to agree with the request due to the unprecedented local and national circumstances."
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/11/tottenham-everton-called-off-safety
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