9th August, 2011
The international friendly match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Black Stars of Ghana has been cancelled.
P.M.Sports gathered this afternoon that the riot speading across the city of London forced the organisers of the match to cancel the tie.
Media officer of the Eagles, Collins Udoh said the cancellation of the match became necessary because of the security implications of going ahead with the tie.
Rioting has spread across London on a third night, with unrest flaring up in other English cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham and Bristol.
London, location of the Ghana/Nigeria international friendly, has seen violence breaking out for a third consecutive day with riot police deployed and firefighters tackling blazes across the capital, following disturbances in Tottenham and other parts.
Shops were looted and buildings, among them a furniture store in Croydon, set alight as police clashed with youths.
Rioting in London has caused sports fixtures to be postponed on police advice.
Two football matches have been postponed and questions raised over other sporting events after a third successive night of rioting in London.
Today’s games at Charlton and West Ham and Charlton vs Reading (Carling Cup) were called off on police advice.
The weekend’s riots in Tottenham (which are still ongoing in several parts of London) have reportedly drawn a few skeptical predictions into how many people will turn up for the game.
Organisers of the international tie are worried that if things get out of hand and the match is played as scheduled there may be low turnout of fans at the Vicarage Road, London.
England’s cricket team were locked in their hotel ahead of the Test against India amid trouble in Birmingham.
It was gathered that all major public events in London are to be rearranged because of the need to focus police resources elsewhere.