The low turnout of 50-60 at Sunday's demonstration outside the Qatari embassy in London, to oppose the country's funding of Hamas, may have disappointed one of the speakers. But when he complained about the absentees, another protester ventured an explanation: "Doesn't he know Spurs are playing today? That's where my husband is, otherwise he would have come."

But at least they could count on the four-legged support of Cookie the Dog (right).