"I continue to believe that this is not a closed issue and that there remains the potential at least to reopen this issue with the Kyrgyz and perhaps reach a new agreement, " Gates said at a NATO meeting in Krakow, Poland.

CNN: Closure of Afghan supply base begins

Photos taken at the gates of the Boleyn Ground proved there were no safety issues by the scheduled kick-off time.

BBC: Leon Osman and Richard Dunne set good example