Premier League have plans for potential Burnley vs Chelsea postponement – ex-PGMOL chief
The Premier League have plans in place regarding a potential postponement of Burnley vs Chelsea on Saturday.
This is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett, who has exclusively told Football Insider that contingency plans will already be in place for possible postponements this weekend.
Burnley’s clash with Chelsea is among the games that could be at risk of being called off, as Storm Claudia continues to wreak havoc across the UK.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning on Thursday, which affects large parts of the North, meaning games up and down the Football League are likely to be affected.
Chelsea’s trip to the North West is due to be shown live on TNT Sports on Saturday lunchtime, and Hackett has now provided the latest in regards to the possibility of a postponement.
Keith Hackett reveals ‘contingency’ plans for Burnley vs Chelsea
Chelsea are aiming to close the gap to Arsenal at the top of the table on Saturday, but there are no guarantees that the game will actually go ahead.
Burnley is not currently covered by the Met Office’s weather warning for snow and ice, but heavy rainfall is forecast in the local area for several hours in the build-up to the game.
Nevertheless, Hackett feels that the quality of pitches in the Premier League means that a postponement is unlikely, and he also revealed the early plans that are established in situations like this.
“There will be plans in place in regard to early inspection of grounds,” Hackett said.
“Most Premier League games have undersoil heating now.
“There will be contingency plans in place on the timing of calling games off, which will take into account things like the travel arrangements of away fans.”
Turf Moor hasn’t seen a game postponed since 2021
Fears of a potential postponement at Burnley are realistic given the way that Storm Claudia has unfolded in recent days, but the track record of their Turf Moor home is excellent when it comes to situations like this.
The Clarets haven’t seen a single home game called off since November 2021, when heavy snowfall left their pitch engulfed, and their imminent clash with Tottenham was unable to go ahead.
Since then, there hasn’t been a single game called off at Turf Moor for weather-related issues, and both teams will be hoping to see that continue this weekend.
The drainage system at Burnley’s home ground is clearly effective, and history also suggests that there should be little concern regarding a potential postponement.