Football must win

Published: 18 February 2010

• SUE MacGregor and Sir Simon Jenkins are typical nimbys when it comes to the World Cup screenings in Regent’s Park (Famous faces give red card to park World Cup event, February 11).  

In 1863 at Cambridge university a group of Englishmen formed the Football Association and invented the modern game of football. We should be proud of our national game and not pretend that the people that watch it are feral and likely to cause a riot if provided with alcohol. 

The World Cup is played every four years and it brings the country together. This whole outcry has the reek of class about it. Would the complainers say the same if it was rugby, tennis or opera?

London contains a very diverse population and the World Cup contains teams from all over the world. I do not think war will break out if the Royal Parks allow a section to be used to watch the tournament. 

The noise is cited as a problem and I will share this with you. Where I live I can hear the crowds at Lord’s big matches, concerts in Hyde Park, certain events in Regent’s Park and the Notting Hill Carnival. Maybe we should ask that all these events be cancelled so that there is no enjoyment in London!

We are fortunate we can use Regents Park for pleasure and for free. However, I am sure the Royal Parks do not have a bottomless pit of money. So any income generated can only be good for the park which, in turn, is good for us. Please stop moaning and support your team, whichever it may be. 
DF Gowers
Broxwood Way, NW8