EFL decision to order the abandoned Blackburn Rovers v Ipswich Town game to be replayed in full is very, very harsh on Rovers. Game at Ewood (rightly) stopped because of rain: 11 minutes remaining, Rovers leading 1-0, Town down to 10. Fairest decision would surely have been to replicate situation when game abandoned: play the unplayed 10 minutes plus stoppage, 11 v 10.
If Ipswich win the replayed game, and Rovers just miss out on a play-off place (especially if they miss out to Ipswich), will lawyers be scrambled to recoup potential lost earnings? And as the first game has effectively been erased by the EFL will fans' expenditure on tickets, travel and refuelling be reimbursed? Todd Cantwell's goal has been deleted from the record books but not Jacob Greaves' red card and one-game suspension. Consistency?
The EFL was undeniably in a difficult situation, and sensibly the Championship directors on the board abstained, but it has chosen the least fair option. The fact that the EFL board has “agreed to consult Clubs on the best approach to the development of new guidance to be considered in the event of a match abandonment” itself places a question-mark against this decision. Even the EFL itself is clearly conflicted hence it seeks “new guidance” for future abandonments.
Until this “new guidance” is established, the EFL has set a potentially dangerous precedent. What if, in another game, fans force the abandonment? Or the lights somehow go out? Replay, please? #Rovers #ITFC #EFL
