England’s soccer friendly against the Netherlands was cancelled on

Tuesday after a third day of rioting in London, officials confirmed.

A

one-line statement from the Football Association confirmed the news

which followed a meeting between FA officials and police early on

Tuesday concerning security arrangements for Wednesday’s match at

Wembley.

“It is with regret that tomorrow’s international fixture

with Holland at Wembley (Wednesday 10 August) has been called-off,” an

FA statement said, adding that more details would follow later.

The

unprecedented decision followed the earlier postponement of League Cup

matches involving West Ham, Charlton and Crystal Palace after police

advice.

England’s players were to take part in a training session on Tuesday before returning to their clubs, reports said.

England star Rio Ferdinand responded to the announcement on micro-blogging site Twitter.

“England

vs Holland game is off, good call. Who wants to see a game of football

when our country is in turmoil,” Ferdinand wrote.

“The solution

to this is not to just clean up the glass, it’s to stop the glass

breaking in the first place,” Ferdinand added in a separate post.

The Manchester United defender had earlier called for an end to the violence which has raged across Britain.

“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?”

Ferdinand said.

“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??”

Team-mate

Wayne Rooney added: “These riots are nuts why would people do this to

there (sic) own country. Own city. This is embarrassing for our country.

Stop please.”

British Olympic officials, meanwhile, expressed

confidence that London would be able to host a trouble-free Summer Games

next year despite the violence.

“We know the level of work and

we know the level of planning that has gone into it,” British Olympic

Association director of communications Darryl Seibel told Sky Sports

News.

“This is not a reflection of London. This is a reflection of the world we live in today.”

Police

in Birmingham said violence which erupted in the city on Monday would

not impact on the third Test between England and India, due to get under

way at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

England star Kevin Pietersen

described the violence in the city as “insane”, revealing that the

team’s city centre hotel doors had been locked as unrest flared

throughout Birmingham.

“They have just locked our hotel in Birmingham mate… Riots just started here.. Insane!!” Pietersen said in a Twitter message.

England

bowler Tim Bresnan added: “Just seen the rioters in Birmingham fleeing

down the main street followed by a load of police in the full get up.

What’s going on?”

Spinner Graeme Swann chimed in a message late

on Monday: “Goodnight England. Good luck to those surrounded by the

carnage. Be safe.”