Tottenham, Everton clash cancelled

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 11 August 2011

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp's fears have been realised after the opening Premier League fixture against Everton has been cancelled.

Tottenham's opening league fixture against Everton has been called off due to the London riots.

The match at White Hart Lane is the first Premier League fixture to be postponed due to the unrest in the capital as well as pockets of areas around the country.

The England friendly against Holland was cancelled along with a number of Carling Cup fixtures this week.

Tottenham issued a statement on the club's official website which read: "Following ongoing discussions with the necessary authorities regarding this weekend's Premier League home match against Everton, it has now been confirmed that this fixture will be postponed due to safety concerns relating to infrastructure of the High Road and access to the stadium caused by last Saturday's riots.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused to supporters due to matters outside of the control of the club. We shall update fans on when this fixture will be rearranged in due course."

Before the announcement was made, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp feared being "left behind" his Premier League rivals if the club's opening fixture were called off.

"It is different if all the games are off but there is nothing worse than being left behind at the start of the season," Redknapp told The Independent.

"We don't want a situation where everyone else has started and we are sat there with no points."

The Tottenham and Everton meeting has so far been the only Premier League opening fixture to be postponed.