The English Football League have been urged to reach the ‘fair conclusion’ when making a decision on Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town’s replay.
The Championship clash was abandoned on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch. Ipswich’s Jacob Greaves was sent off just after half time, before Todd Cantwell won Blackburn a penalty after going down in the box on the hour mark. He then put his side 1-0 up from the spot.
But with just 10 minutes to go, the players were sent into the changing rooms due to incredibly heavy rainfall affecting the pitch in Lancashire. The officials decided to call it off 20 minutes later after many fans had already headed for the exits.
Both clubs have stated a decision on whether the fixture will be replayed in full will be made by the EFL Board in due course. Now, Blackburn captain Cantwell has expressed what he believes should happen next.
Todd Cantwell urges EFL to draw ‘fair conclusion’ on Blackburn Rovers’ ‘win’
Taking to Instagram on Saturday after the game, Cantwell uploaded Rovers’ confirmation of the abandonment on his story.
He wrote: “Great performance from the team, given the circumstances of the game I really hope the EFL come to the correct and fair conclusion on our win.”
The EFL rules say: “Any League Match which from any cause whatever falls short of [the 90 minutes] duration may be ordered to count as a completed fixture or be replayed in full or in part.”
It’s unlikely the EFL will hand Blackburn the win with 10 minutes still left to play and the torrid conditions in Lancashire. It’s not clear if the fixture will be replayed to play the remaining 10 minutes or if it will be restarted from the beginning.
How will the EFL decide how to replay Blackburn and Ipswich’s clash?
There is a certain criterion the EFL will follow when making the decision.
As per the body’s rules, it is stated: “This is based on whatever terms and conditions the Board shall in their absolute discretion determine and shall be played in compliance with these Regulations and the Football Association Rules respectively and under the Laws of the Game as approved by the International Football Association Board.
“In the event of conflict between any such Rules, Regulations and Laws as aforesaid, the Football Association Rules shall prevail.”
Blackburn will no doubt be left feeling frustrated should Cantwell’s goal and their lead count for nothing. Both sides sit 17th and 18th in the Championship respectively, with Ipswich having superior goal difference.
