FANS have been left baffled after the EFL failed to make an immediate decision on Blackburn and Ipswich’s abandoned clash.
Rovers were winning 1-0 against the Tractor Boys on Saturday afternoon after Todd Cantwell’s penalty on the hour mark.
And Ipswich were also down to ten men after Jacob Greaves was given his marching orders.
But referee Steve Martin decided to pull the players off the pitch in the 79th minute due to heavy rain and a waterlogged pitch.
Blackburn were left fuming after being denied the chance to seal three points while in an advantageous position.
And according to EFL rules, they could be forced to replay the game.
Chiefs released a statement on Wednesday saying they had given both clubs a deadline of 4pm to make final representations before coming to a decision over the fixture.
The EFL said: “Following the abandonment of the Sky Bet Championship fixtures 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 the week, with the outcome to be confirmed shortly thereafter.”
But supporters on social media were left scratching their heads over why the EFL didn’t immediately order a replay.
One fan wrote: “I can’t even believe this is up for discussion. The game was abandoned for reasons outside of either clubs control. The laws state it should be replayed. If the EFL chooses to ignore the laws of the game then what is the point of having a rule book in the first place
Another said: “Why is it taking this long? Regardless of what the score was at the time it has to be replayed. You cannot let a result stand when there could still be 15/20 mins left in total.”
A third added: “The only fair and reasonable thing to do is to make the game be replayed in full. Anything else is setting a dangerous precedent. Playing the last 10 minutes would put into question the integrity of the match as players could be different and it’s unfair on the fans.”
However, one pointed out that ordering a replay would also set a precedent.
They said: “You can’t replay the game in full; it sets a dangerous precedent. Team A are losing to Team B, with 10-15 minutes to play and down to ten men. The crowd storm the pitch, or power is cut (or whatever), abandoning the game. So they get a free restart?”
Some suggested a compromise that the game be replayed behind closed doors from the 80th minute, with Ipswich playing with ten men.
Others said the match could be replayed from the beginning of the second half with the same conditions.
According to the EFL rule book, officials may use their own discretion to decide the fate of games that cannot be completed.
Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael, however, insisted that giving his side three points would be “the fairest thing to do”.
He said: “We’ve got the right to want the three points because it’s the fair thing to do, especially when the opponent is down to 10.
“Eleven versus 11 is another situation. We were clearly at an advantage and the data shows that we were on the front foot since the red card.”
Read the full article here