Breaking bad news: The England players listen to FA chairman David Bernstein

Earlier in the day the FA met police and officials from Brent council, quickly concluding that the England game would have to be called off because the police did not have the resources to provide enough officers for the match. That, in turn, meant that the council were not in a position to grant the safety certificate they have to issue for every game at the national stadium.

A certificate probably would have been granted had the FA invited Holland to play the game behind closed doors, but after consulting Fabio Capello that option was rejected. The England manager saw no real value in playing an already friendly game in such a muted atmosphere, preferring instead to hold an intense training session at London Colney before allowing his players to return to their clubs.

In the practice match Tom Cleverley, the Manchester United midfielder hoping to make his international debut, was said to have excelled alongside Scott Parker.

The 70,000 supporters who had purchased tickets will receive a full refund, with costs estimated at between £1million and £2m for the governing body. But FA officials were relaxed about that because they have already agreed with the Dutch FA to play the game at a later date. 

It should also help with costs if the Dutch, who were contacted before they boarded their bus to Amsterdam airport, aren’t serious about seeking compensation. They were distancing themselves from comments made earlier in the day but the police were concerned about their safety given their intention to stay in central London.

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