Friday’s Championship game between Rotherham and Ipswich has been postponed due to flooding by the stadium amid Storm Babet.
The pitch at Rotherham’s New York Stadium is playable however the fixture, which was due to be proven stay on Sky Sports, has been postponed on the grounds of supporter security after the River Don burst its banks with additional heavy rainfall scheduled on Friday night.
A Rotherham assertion learn: “Rotherham United’s Sky Bet Championship fixture against Ipswich Town has been postponed on the grounds of supporter safety following discussions with representatives from the Safety Advisory Group and the EFL which took place shortly after 4:30pm on Friday.
“After the River Don – which programs across the perimeter of AESSEAL New York Stadium – burst its banks, pressing discussions between representatives from the Safety Advisory Group/Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and membership security personnel and the EFL – have been held with the conclusion deeming the climate circumstances and their subsequent impact on the encircling space a hazard to supporters.
“This coupled with continued rainfall ensuing within the flood waters rising and Don Street being closed to the general public left the authorities with no alternative however to postpone the game.
“Throughout the day the pitch at AESSEAL New York Stadium has remained playable however with the security of everybody attending the match on the top of our priorities, the troublesome choice to postpone the fixture has been taken.
“The choice was relayed to the EFL and our counterparts at Ipswich Town with all events in settlement that suspending the fixture was the one potential approach to guarantee the security of gamers, employees and supporters.
“It goes without saying that we are obviously disappointed for supporters due to attend and those set to watch at home given the game was being broadcast live on Sky Sports.”
An Ipswich Town assertion learn: “Town’s Sky Bet Championship fixture away to Rotherham United, scheduled for 8pm this evening, has been postponed for safety reasons.
“The pitch at AESSEAL New York Stadium is playable, however areas outdoors the stadium are hazardous and extra heavy rainfall is forecast this night.
“The decision was made following an urgent meeting with the Safety Advisory Group which took place at 4.30pm today.
“Further particulars, relating to refunds and a brand new date for the fixture, will likely be launched in due course.”
Six SPFL games postponed due to Storm Babet
Aberdeen’s match at residence to Dundee is one in all six off due to Storm Babet
Six SPFL matches due to be performed on Saturday have been postponed due to Storm Babet.
The transfer comes following conversations between league bosses, golf equipment and Police Scotland, after the Met Office purple climate warning within the Tayside, Angus and Aberdeenshire areas was prolonged till the top of Saturday.
In the Scottish Premiership, Dundee’s journey to Aberdeen at Pittodrie and St Johnstone vs Motherwell in Perth are off.
Arbroath versus Raith Rovers within the Championship plus Cove Rangers in opposition to Montrose in League One are additionally postponed.
Further video games in League Two that includes Forfar Athletic’s journey to Elgin City and Stenhousemuir vs Peterhead are additionally off.
The SPFL will monitor occasions round all different fixtures – with new dates for these postponed video games to be confirmed in due course.
Calum Beattie, SPFL chief working officer, mentioned: “We have been in close contact with Police Scotland and our clubs and it’s clear that we continue to face very severe weather, particularly in the North East, in the coming days.
“We by no means postpone any matches calmly, however our discussions with the emergency providers left us in little doubt that this was the right choice.”
Two people have died as a result of the storm, while the Met Office warning of a “hazard to life from quick flowing or deep floodwater” in parts of Scotland, was extended until midnight on Saturday.
It now covers the Grampian and Central, Tayside and Fife regions. It had already been expanded to include Dundee, Perth and Kinross, as well as Angus and Aberdeenshire, where 20ft waves have been spotted on the coastline.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has five severe flood warnings, 11 flood alerts and 16 flood warnings in place, with the threat of “unprecedented” levels of rainfall in the northeast of Scotland.
It has warned rivers could rise by as much as five metres, in what has been described as an “extraordinary” weather event.
SEPA flood duty manager Pascal Lardet said: “There is phenomenal rainfall forecast for elements of Scotland over the subsequent 24 hours, and it will lead to vital flooding from each floor water and rivers.”
Discussion about this post