Heavy rain brought on Blackburn Rovers’ dwelling recreation towards Ipswich City to be deserted by the referee 10 minutes from full-time on the weekend, because the rain-soaked pitch at Ewood Park visibly affected the motion of the ball. So what occurs now?
A soccer match can solely be postponed or deserted with the approval of the referee, authorities, or by the order of the police.
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Premier League and English Soccer League (EFL) guidelines state that if a match is postponed earlier than kick-off, the fixture will probably be re-arranged.
Nevertheless, if a Premier League or EFL recreation is deserted after kick-off, however earlier than 90 minutes has been performed, the fixture will both be:
Counted as a accomplished match, with the factors awarded primarily based on the time of the abandonment
Replayed partially or in its entirety
The Premier League and EFL boards determine the end result primarily based on the rating at time of the abandonment, the variety of minutes performed, and the reason for the abandonment, and whether or not the membership or its supporters have been at fault.
Blackburn Rovers v Ipswich City was deserted within the eightieth minute as a result of an unplayable pitch in September 2025 [Getty Images]
When can a referee abandon a match?
In accordance with the Worldwide Soccer Affiliation Board (Ifab), the group answerable for figuring out the legal guidelines of the sport, a referee can abandon a match if:
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The floodlights are insufficient
An object thrown by a spectator hits a participant, official or staff official
Unauthorised individuals enter the sector of play
The crossbar is damaged and can’t be repaired
The protection of gamers, or supporters can’t be assured
The floor on the pitch is deemed unplayable
A staff doesn’t have a minimal of seven gamers on the pitch
Former Premier League referee, Mike Riley stated: “A referee has to contemplate whether or not the enjoying circumstances threaten the wellbeing of the gamers and whether or not they compromise the match as a spectacle for the followers.”
When have matches been deserted?
Blackburn have been 1-0 up towards 10-man Ipswich within the Championship when the referee deserted the sport within the eightieth minute due to an unplayable floor.
Todd Cantwell’s objective was expunged from the information, however Jacob Greaves was given a one-match suspension for his pink card.
West Bromwich Albion have been awarded a 3-0 win towards Sheffield United in 2002 when the Blades had three gamers despatched off, and two gamers went off injured who couldn’t get replaced.
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It stays the one time a match has been deserted in skilled English soccer due to a scarcity of gamers.
In 2023, Luton City’s Premier League match at Bournemouth was deserted after their captain Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch within the 59th minute.
The match was rescheduled later within the season following discussions between “match officers, gamers, managers from each golf equipment and the Premier League”.
In 2016, Manchester United’s remaining recreation of the season towards Bournemouth was postponed and re-arranged after a dummy bomb utilized in a safety train was discovered at Previous Trafford.
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