Championship club in talks with EFL over potential fixture postponement – Exclusive
Blackburn Rovers will be in close contact with the EFL as the weather and the quality of their pitch threatens to postpone their midweek Championship clash against Oxford United.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that a decision on whether the game can go ahead is set to be made well in advance of kick-off to save away fans a potentially wasted journey.
Blackburn have come under fire for their issues at Ewood Park recently, with two home games abandoned during play so far this season due to a waterlogged pitch.
The EFL forced Blackburn to replay their game against Ipswich last Tuesday (2 December) after it had initially been ended prematurely due to the surface back in September.
Disaster struck once more on Saturday (6 December) as their clash with Sheffield Wednesday was also called off for the same reason, and their upcoming home game against Oxford is now also in doubt.
Blackburn vs Oxford potentially facing postponement after Met Office update
The Met Office have released a yellow weather warning for rain in Blackburn for Tuesday, with the downpour set to begin at midnight on the day of the game until 3pm.
There is also a yellow warning of wind close to Ewood Park, and that could compound the issue even further if it spreads over the stadium ahead of kick-off.
Blackburn are in real need of a win on Tuesday, as they have failed to do so in any of their last three full games and were on their way to a victory against Wednesday before proceedings were halted.
Oxford sit two places and three points below their hosts in 21st, having won just one of their last seven matches, and thus will also want the game to be on so they have the chance to move away from the relegation zone.
Hackett says Blackburn will be speaking to the EFL, local referee could be utilised for pitch judgement
Former Premier League winners Blackburn could be in real danger of being sanctioned by the EFL if their pitch fails for a third time in just their 10th home game this season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-PGMOL chief Hackett insisted that Rovers will be co-operating with the EFL ahead of the game, with a postponement set to come sooner rather than later, if needed, so away fans have not already travelled up north.
He said: “There is a clear procedure for early inspections where there is doubt about the playing surface and the impending weather forecast.
“Communication will have taken place between the two club officials where a timing schedule of fans leaving Oxford for Blackburn will have been made.
“Blackburn will liaise with the EFL who will if necessary call in a professional referee who lives in the Greater Manchester area to inspect the ground and liaise with the local Met Station to have knowledge of the weather.
“The timing of this inspection and decision will be made before Oxford fans leave for the game. It is of course likely that Oxford United will be in the Greater Manchester area hours before kick off, so they may face a wasted journey.
“Every effort will be made to get this game on. Clearly Blackburn have some drainage issues.”