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Blackburn hit back at the EFL’s decision on the abandoned game against Ipswich

Blackburn Rovers hit back at the EFL’s decision on the abandoned game against Ipswich Town, releasing a statement on the matter.

The EFL board have decided that they will replay the match in full after the game was stopped and called off in the 79th minute on Saturday due to heavy rain.

Blackburn had been leading 1-0 courtesy of Todd Cantwell’s second-half penalty with Ipswich down to 10 men after Jacob Greaves was sent off.

EFL STATEMENT:

The EFL Board has today determined that the Sky Bet Championship fixture between Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town should be replayed in full following its abandonment on Saturday 20 September.

The fixture was abandoned in the 79th minute after the referee had taken the players off the pitch following a sustained period of heavy rainfall, which caused the playing surface to become unplayable.

The Board comprehensively considered all options available in accordance with the Regulations alongside representations made by both Clubs.

It was ultimately decided by a majority that the fixture should be replayed in full. The decision follows recent precedents relating to abandoned fixtures and is intended to uphold the integrity of the League competition which should, wherever possible, be based on a complete set of fixtures played to a conclusion on the day.

Following due consideration, the three Championship Directors abstained from the vote.

The Board recognised that this was an incredibly difficult decision and agreed to consult Clubs on the best approach to the development of new guidance to be considered in the event of a match abandonment.

A new date for the fixture will be confirmed by the respective Clubs in due course.

BLACKBURN STATEMENT:

Blackburn Rovers regrettably confirms that the EFL Board has ruled that the Championship fixture against Ipswich Town should be replayed in full at a later date.

The match, which took place at Ewood Park on Saturday, was called off in the 80th minute due to an unplayable playing surface following extreme weather conditions throughout the day.

At the time of the abandonment, Rovers were leading 1-0, thanks to Todd Cantwell’s second-half penalty, and Ipswich Town had been reduced to 10 men following Jacob Greaves’ sending off.

Holding both a scoreline and numerical advantage, and with just 10 minutes of normal time remaining, Rovers were on course to record a third Championship victory in four games.

However, following a review of all options available in accordance with the Regulations, alongside submissions made by both clubs, the EFL Board ultimately concluded that the match must be replayed in its entirety.

Whilst Blackburn Rovers respects the processes undertaken by the EFL and acknowledges the complexities involved, the club is extremely disappointed by the outcome, which fails to take into account the significant advantages Rovers held at the time of abandonment.

Blackburn Rovers is committed to upholding the integrity of the competition, however we strongly feel that the decision to replay the entire fixture does not accurately reflect the circumstances on the day.

The club is now seeking further clarity from the EFL and will consider all options, including the right to appeal the decision, and will make no further comment on the matter at this stage.

Before this, Rovers said: “Following the abandonment of the Sky Bet Championship fixture between Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town, the two clubs were given a deadline of 4pm today to make any final representations to the league.

“Once in receipt of the submissions, the matter will be discussed by the EFL Board before the end of this week, with the outcome to be confirmed shortly thereafter.”

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael felt his side should be awarded the three points and denies he agreed to bring the match to an early end.

An EFL statement after the match indicated that Kieran McKenna and Ismael had accepted the referee ending the game early – “The decision was taken in agreement with both managers” – with Ismael disputing this.

“It was chaotic after the game and we had to accept the decision,” Ismael told RoversTV. “The referee abandoned the game and we go from there and wait for the decision.

“We have made our points on the situation and have prepared our case. We were the team pushing, we were on the front foot and we expect to get the reward, because we think that’s the fair thing to do.

“One thing from my side that has to be really clear is that I saw a report from the EFL at the end of the game. I never agreed to stop the game. I had no choice because the referee made his point clear that he had to abandon the game.

“He said the pitch was unplayable, he said sorry and explained that the EFL will make the decision. I never had to agree to anything because the decision was made. That’s a clear point to make from our position – we didn’t agree anything.”

Ismael is in no doubt his team should be awarded the three points, while a restaging of the game, the usual approach when matches are abandoned, seems the most likely option, while playing the final 10 minutes was also mooted as a possibility.

“It’s clear, when you’re 1-0 up, the opponents are down to 10 men and you have the momentum,” Ismael continued. “On one hand, they can score a goal, but what is right for Ipswich is also right for us, and we have the possibility of scoring a goal as well.

“We faced the situation against Norwich when we were down to 10 and were pushing. We had the feeling we could score, but we conceded a second goal at the end and lost the game.

“For us, we have the right to want the three points from the situation, as I think that’s the fairest thing to do when the opponent is down to 10.

“At 11 v 11, it’s a different situation, but this situation was clear. We had a clear advantage and the statistical data shows that we were on the front foot since the red card.

“There are no rules and it’s a grey area. It’s put the integrity of football in danger because everyone can speculate on anything in every game to try to stop any game.

“It’s difficult to know what will be the outcome, but this is a case that should be taken seriously, as this is one that will be a precedent case. I hope we can get a decision in our favour.”

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IPSWICH STATEMENT:

The EFL Board has confirmed Saturday’s abandoned fixture at Blackburn Rovers will be replayed in full.

Full details regarding a rearranged date and ticket information will be announced in due course.

Manager Kieran McKenna said: “It was impossible to finish the game. From the start of the second half the pitch was getting to the point of unplayable really.

“It was really slushy before the game started, but the ball rolled okay in the first half to be fair. It was holding up a little bit. But in the second half, the footing was too slippery to be safe, then the ball stops moving. It was an inevitable decision that could maybe have been made earlier. In the end there was no other option.

“We are really, really grateful for the support. They were still in full voice at the end in the rain.

“We hope to reward them, starting next Saturday (at home to Portsmouth) and in the matches to come. There’s every chance that we’ll be back up here again. Hopefully we’ll reward them because we really, really appreciate their support.”

Chairman Mark Ashton said: “We’ll look at what we can do for the fans who travelled all this way and supported the team in such difficult conditions. The main thing we want to say is thank you.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Blackburn hit back at the EFL’s decision on the abandoned game against Ipswich…

@richyevans19: If we’re 1 down with 10 mins to go, just turn the floodlights off. We get another go at it then. #rovers

@AdamCatterall: Frustrating situation but an Expected decision, zero surprise. Having made this decision, The league should cover the cost for every fan that had a ticket to the original game to go to the rearranged fixture including travel for the away fans.

@nathrover1985: From now on if we’re losing , just cut the floodlights out and get game called off, we will just get to play it again 👍

@rstainbank: A lot of sympathy for you and it’s undeniably unfair. But a football match is 90 minutes and the last ten minutes plus stoppage time can’t realistically be replicated at a later date with the same personnel. An unsatisfactory outcome undoubtedly but the least worst.

@JordoftheRovers: So all a team needs to do now if they’re losing a game is get the game abandoned and they’ll get another crack at getting a result they want. Game has officially gone. #Rovers #efl

@malstar79: I dreamt I saw Todd Cantwell score a penalty in front of the Blackburn End last Saturday but I didn’t dream Greaves got a red card. đŸ€ĄđŸ˜‚ #Rovers

@allrovers_: What a shock the team with the most money and current higher stature wins the battle. EFL down to a tee. #Rovers

@wbahazz: If we are 1-0 down with 10 men on the weekend from now on let’s just stick the sprinklers on and cut the floodlights, brilliant again @EFL đŸ‘đŸ»

@conner2712: From now on let’s have matters “out of our control” end the game if we are losing 1-0, so we can – “play it another date”… Great precedent for the future of the game @EFL

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