Police fear 'storm of chaos' with rival marches and football matches on same day

Police are preparing for what could be a “perfect storm” of “chaos” on Saturday with two hugerival marches set to take place in London, coinciding with several high profile - and potentially volatile - football matches.

Right-wing activist Tommy Robinson says his Biggest Free Speech rally will bring thousands to Central London on Saturday. Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, boasted: “The football lads are coming from everywhere”.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands are expected to join a powerful Stand up toRacism rally backed by the unions from across the country. Both marches are due to start in central London at approximately the same time.

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As well as the two marches there are several football derbies in the capital where West Ham face Tottenham, Millwall travel to Charlton and Chelsea play Brentford. In addition thousands of Leeds fans will be heading south for their match at Fulham, Nottingham Forest are at Arsenal and Sunderland are playing Crystal Palace.

Members of 'Football lads against grooming gangs' - a group which encourages fans from different clubs to join them - will join the Robinson march. One supporter online predicted “chaos” and a recipe for disaster and another said it was a “powder keg situation” and a “perfect storm”.

But several trade unions have got together to organise the 'March against Facism: Unite vs Tommy Robinson'. The PCS union is part of the group. A spokesman said: “PCS is calling on all members to join the national counter-demonstration against far-right figure Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) in central London on Saturday 13 September.

“Organised by ‘Stand Up to Racism’, this mobilisation is a vital opportunity to stand together against racism, Islamophobia, and the growing threat of the far-right. Robinson and his supporters are attempting to rebrand their movement by exploiting public concern around grooming gangs and falsely linking migrants to sexual abuse.

“Groups like Football Lads Against Grooming Gangs are being used to mask far-right organising behind a populist front. This makes it even more important for trade unionists, anti-racists, and community campaigners to visibly and peacefully oppose their message of hate. Trade unions, campaign groups and community organisations are set to unite to oppose fascism in central London on 13 September.”

Robinson said: “Unite the Kingdom “groups of lads are coming from every corner of Britain. I want a festival atmosphere. The football lads are coming from everywhere.”

The Met said they will have a plan in place as they do for all major demos and large events.