World Cup winner in the park

Published: 19 February 2010

• SUE MacGregor and Sir Simon Jenkins are typical nimbys when it comes to the World Cup screenings in Regent’s Park (Red card for park’s World Cup, February 12).  

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

• LIKE many others we are appalled at the prospect of the damage, nuisance, noise and chaos that drunken football yobs will cause. 

This is well known. We locals who pay our rates etc will have to put up with this for a month. The tranquillity that many of us enjoy will be destroyed. Is the consumption of alcohol really necessary? Does it have to be sold ?

Attracting thousands of extra people to  the centre of London which is already over-subscribed is ludicrous. The tube system will not cope.

Driving will be impossible and there will not be enough parking or is part of the plan to put an enormous car park on site as well, causing further destruction?

DICK & ALISON HALES
Arlington Road, NW1