John Heitinga backs decision to postpone Everton’s game against Spurs

Aug 12 2011 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo

John Heitinga backs decision to postpone Everton’s game against Spurs

JOHN HEITINGA has backed the decision to postpone Everton’s Premier League opener at Tottenham tomorrow.

The news, announced yesterday, meant the Dutch international has had two games called off within the space of a week due to the London riots, after he was also set to play for Holland against England on Wednesday.

He said: “We understand the decision. We have to let the police do their job and I hope everywhere is quiet and there’s no more damage.

“It has been a strange week. On Monday morning we were in camp with the national team.

“We trained on Monday and then on Tuesday after breakfast we heard the game was cancelled.

“I wanted to play at Wembley against England but if you look at what is happening it is not good and hopefully it will be better soon.”

The riots in London began in the Tottenham area and the damage to roads was such that Saturday’s game at White Hart Lane had to be called off.

“Everybody was looking forward to the Premier League starting and it was disappointing that this game was also cancelled,” he said.

“Our league will start next week and we can only wait until the whistle goes. We are professionals and the most important thing is that everything is quiet and good in the city centres of England.”