Three games OFF as heavy snow hits football fixtures but Liverpool v Man Utd clear to go ahead after safety inspection
THREE of this afternoon’s EFL matches have been postponed as the freezing weather causes havoc.
But Liverpool’s home clash with Manchester United WILL go ahead as planned.
Chesterfield were due to host Gillingham in League Two at 3pm.
And in the same division, Fleetwood planned to take on promotion-chasing AFC Wimbledon.
However, the heavy snow storms and adverse weather meant both games had to be called off this morning before a late call was also made to cancel Newport vs Morecambe.
Fleetwood, in the North West, is under a yellow weather warning from the Met Office for snow and ice.
But it was even more severe in Chesterfield with the same warning – plus an additional amber warning for snow.
Freezing rain is also expected during the sub-zero temperatures, sparking further headaches for the authorities.
And therefore the decisions were made early on Sunday morning to cancel the two games.
Fleetwood put out a statement to confirm the postponement – along with pictures of the Highbury pitch covered in snow.
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The Cod Army wrote: “Due to the fitness of the pitch and surrounding area due to heavy snowfall on the Fylde Coast during Saturday night into Sunday morning a call was made in consultation with the EFL and PGMOL.
“A new date will be communicated with supporters as soon as practicable and tickets for the fixture will remain valid for the rearranged game.”
Chesterfield also had to tell fans their game was off following a 7.45am pitch inspection amid the heavy snowfall and safety concerns for fans travelling to the stadium.
Newport took until 12.25pm to make the announcement on the relegation six-pointer following a 12pm pitch inspection.
The referee deemed “small areas of the pitch unplayable despite the best efforts of the ground staff to get the game on”.
As things stand, the other two EFL matches today – Crewe vs Bromley in League Two plus Sunderland vs Portsmouth in the Championship – are still on.
And the eagerly-anticipated Premier League blockbuster fixture between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield got the green light.
Liverpool City Council’s Ground Safety Advisory Group met at 9am and then again at 11.45am to discuss whether the match could go ahead.
At the latter meeting, it was decided the game could still go ahead as scheduled.
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Liverpool tweeted at 11.56am: “Today’s fixture against Manchester United will go ahead as planned.
“Two safety meetings were held earlier to assess the weather and travel conditions.
“We thank everyone involved in helping us to get this game on today.
“If you’re travelling to Anfield then please take extra care.
“We look forward to seeing you there.”
Had this afternoon’s clash been cancelled, it would have become the second Liverpool match of the season to fall victim to the weather.
Their Merseyside derby with Everton at Goodison Park was called off in December due to Storm Darragh and is yet to be rearranged.
Then there were fears that the Boxing Day clash with Leicester may have to be cancelled as heavy fog hit the North West.
However, that game got the green light – although the conditions made it difficult viewing for fans watching on TV.