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Ferdinand and Rooney shocked by riots

Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney expressed their thoughts via Twitter © PA Photos

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England defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed his shock and disappointment at the rioting which has escalated in London and spread to other cities throughout the country.

Ferdinand, who was raised in Peckham, is in the England squad set to take on Holland at Wembley on Wednesday, but the international friendly could come under threat as a result of the rioting.

Carling Cup matches at West Ham and Charlton were postponed on the instructions of police. West Ham were due to play Aldershot while Charlton were scheduled to face Reading.

And on Tuesday morning the games at Crystal Palace and Bristol City were also called off.

The England match remained on and planning was continuing as normal on Monday evening, with the Football Association prepared to leave any decision regarding the match up to the Metropolitan Police.

Ferdinand described his thoughts on the violence in his old neighbourhood in three consecutive messages on Twitter: "The scenes on Sky news right now are shocking..what is this all in aid of?? Innocent peoples [sic] homes + livelihoods have gone up in smoke-why?

"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??"

Ferdinand's England and Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney also pleaded for the trouble to stop.

Rooney wrote on Twitter: "These riots are nuts why would people do this to there [sic] own country. Own city. This is embarrassing for our country. Stop please."

A decision regarding whether or not the international friendly will go ahead is understood to be made on Wednesday morning, with public disturbances reportedly having spread to Harlesden and Brent Cross near Wembley Stadium.

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