Chelsea’s WSL clash with Liverpool was abandoned after just six minutes play at Kingsmeadow.
Boos reigned out from all four stands, mainly directed at referee Paul Howard who made the decision that pitch was unplayable, after the decision was announced via the stadium PA with Emma Hayes then addressing the crowd.
A Chelsea statement, released via social media, said: “The referee has taken the decision to abandon today’s game due to a frozen pitch.
“The club will provide a further announcement on the fixture in due course.”
Addressing the Kingsmeadow crowd Hayes said: “The decision to call it off at this moment is wrong for the timing, but right for the players.”
The Chelsea boss then told the BBC : “You could see from the opening minutes that it was like an ice rink down the sides. Matt Beard was upset that it even got to that point and he’s right.
“It’s not for managers to decide if it is on. It’s up to the FA and officials. We have to say to ourselves it’s time for undersoil heating. We’ve got to take our game seriously. Yes we can have our blowers and pitch tents but it’s not enough.”
The match had originally passed a preliminary pitch inspection that begun at 9:30 this morning. But the covers were still on some areas of the pitch as both teams took to the field for the warm-up.
And with players immediately looking slippery underfoot the game was called off by referee Howard after just six minutes of play. Howard spoke to both managers and the match manager on the touchline before instructing both teams to head down the tunnel.
The crowd were understandably angry, but the boos subsided once Hayes took to the microphone and explained the situation to the crowd.
Liverpool manager Matt Beard said: “The pitch is frozen and I don’t know why it took six minutes. It was frozen in the warm-up.
“You can clearly see it. I’m gutted for our fans. They’ve travelled down and it could have been postponed at 9.30am. It shouldn’t have been played in the first place.”
There will be more to follow on this breaking news story.
We’ll bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video.
Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story HERE. Get email updates on the day’s biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters.
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following The Mirror.
- Follow The Mirror on Google News – CLICK HERE and click the star
- Follow The Mirror on Apple News – CLICK HERE – available on Apple devices
- Follow The Mirror on Flipboard – CLICK HERE and click Follow
Follow @MirrorFootball on Twitter : The official Mirror Football Twitter account for all the latest football news as it happens in real time.
Follow @MirrorSport on Twitter: The official Mirror Sport Twitter account for all the latest sport news as it happens in real time.
You can sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news here – @MirrorBreaking_ – and follow @DailyMirror for the latest real time news.
Keep up-to-date with the latest football news by following us on Facebook HERE
Keep up-to-date with the latest sport news by following us on Facebook HERE
See all our social accounts that you can follow here: mirror.co.uk/social
