Riots and press row could ruin Premier League start

The Premier League's big kick-off next weekend is under threat due to the riots in London and a dispute between clubs and the media, which could mean there is little or no newpaper coverage of the start of the season.

Few papers carried reports from Championship and Football League matches this weekend as reporters and photographers were barred from many grounds because of a dispute over image and content rights.

Discussions between media organisations and the Premier and Football League's broke down last week and the Guardian reported that it was only able to get accreditation for matches at Brighton and Accrington at the weekend.

If the impasse has not been resolved by next weekend then reporters and photographers are unlikely to get into the grounds of Premier League clubs.

The deal between media organisations and the clubs dates back six years, but with many media organisations now carrying live blogs on their websites and running discussion forums during games the old rules appear outdated. As one source told the Guardian: "The old agreement was signed before Twitter even existed. That's ridiculous and it needs to be updated."

The clubs are concerned about the amount of content papers are now offering from within the stadium and want it limited, however the media do not want their reporters to be restricted.

Meanwhile, there is a more direct threat to some of next week's games, particularly in London, where the weekend's riots have put extra demands on the police. It is already being reported Tottenham Hotspur's opening match of the season against Everton on Saturday could be under threat.

The Mail reports that White Hart Lane stadium tours have been cancelled 'due to safety reasons', and that the Spurs megastore was closed down over the weekend as looting and violence took place less than a kilometre away from the ground. The ticket office south of White Hart Lane will not be open until Wednesday.

If the violence continues this week then there may be calls to postpone the match.

In addition to the Spurs game on Saturday there are Premier League games scheduled at QPR and Fulham. And in the Championship, Crystal Palace, Millwall and Watford all have home fixtures. If tensions are still high then police may find themselves stretched on matchday. ·