TWO EFL matches have been called off just HOURS before their respective kick-offs due to the freezing weather wreaking havoc with the sporting calendar.
Cheltenham Town and Mansfield Town’s respective League One and League Two clashes with Carlisle United and Sutton United on Saturday afternoon have both fallen victim to the icy weather plaguing the nation.
GettyCheltenham Town’s League One match with Carlisle United has been postponed due to a frozen pitch[/caption]
Mansfield Town’s League Two clash with Sutton United has been called off due to a frozen pitch
Both the pitches at The Completely-Suzuki Stadium and Field Mill have frozen through and are now completely unplayable.
Cheltenham confirmed the postponement of their clash with Cumbrians on their official website.
A club statement read: “Tomorrow’s Sky Bet League One fixture with Carlisle United has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.
A Football League-appointed match official conducted an 11AM pitch inspection at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium this morning.
“After consultation with the Football League, the decision has been made to postpone tomorrow’s fixture.
“The frost covers have been on the pitch all week but temperatures for the past two nights have fallen so low that a considerable amount of frost has got into the pitch.
“On balance, it was felt that temperatures are not forecast to rise high enough to remove the frost before kick-off so the decision has been taken to postpone the match.
“The timing of the decision has also taken into account the considerable journey faced by opponents Carlisle and a desire to inconvenience them as little as possible.”
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“Tickets already purchased for the match will be valid for the re-arranged date, which will be announced in due course.”
Mansfield issued a similar statement, which read: “Following a pitch inspection, Mansfield Town’s Sky Bet League Two encounter at home to Sutton United – scheduled for Saturday 20 January – has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.
“Frost covers have been in place on the pitch for ten days as part of the club’s efforts to protect the pitch from sub zero temperatures as well as industrial hot-air blowers.
“Temperatures in Mansfield, however, have been as low as -7.
“Following a pitch inspection by an EFL-appointed referee the pitch has been deemed unplayable.
“The club was mindful to call a pitch inspection as promptly as possible to notify home and away supporters of the outcome at the earliest opportunity.
“A rearranged date for the match will be announced shortly. All tickets purchased for this fixture will remain valid for the rescheduled game.”
The Big Freeze has now laid waste to THREE EFL matches in less than two days.
Salford City were due to host Colchester United at the Peninsula Stadium this evening.
But their League Two clash was postponed due to the pitch completely being covered in snow.
There are now major fears that fans won’t be able to attend matches due to the icy and dangerous conditions they’ll have to travail.
The biggest game called off so far is Mainz’s Bundesliga clash with Union, which was scheduled to take place this evening before a heavy barrage of snow.
It’s not just the footie world feeling the full effects of the big European freeze.
Horse Racing in the UK has ground to a complete halt due to the incredibly cold conditions.
There will be NO jumps racing in Britain on Saturday following Ascot, Haydock and Taunton’s decision to cancel their respective cards.
That’s despite race organisers’ best efforts to keep beat the chilling weather, which included miles and miles of protective covering.
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