The Metropolitan Police's borough commander for Islington, Barry Norman, and the Sports Minister Richard Cabourn have both joined in the fray. Quite what right either of them have to curtail people’s freedom of speech we’re not sure.
Norman:
“Any activity in the build-up to the game which increases the intensity and hostility of the supporters is not responsible and should be stopped. If there is intense rivalry between the two sets of fans, which there is, then anything which increases that is unhelpful.”
Cabourn:
“I think both of these people are very responsible men and they know when the situation has gone too far. They have been asked by a number of people to cool it down, and I'm sure that will happen. Things do get out of hand, so let's get back to them doing what they do best and that's managing damn good football teams.
“We have had the pantomime. Let's now have the serious stuff - they are two of the best managers in the world and they are a credit to English football.”
The FA has also become involved, chairman Geoff Thompson said, “We were going to have a meeting with both clubs after the first match but it was felt the situation could be resolved internally. I would prefer that. You don't want people being wheeled into the headmaster's study all the time - particularly high-profile ones.
“But we have responsibilities and we will make sure those are carried out. We want to try to resolve this issue.”
Poor Jose Mourinho at Chelsea is feeling left out, and has entered the ‘pantomime’ with a tame effort, “When you lead you can forget about the other teams. If we win, then our job for that week is done. There is no pressure at the top. The pressure is being second or third.”