What EFL rules tell us about Blackburn Rovers vs Ipswich Town replay as game abandoned

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In a bizarre twist this afternoon, the game between Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town at Ewood Park was abandoned after 80 minutes. Here’s what we can glean from the EFL rules as to what will happen next.

After a far from entertaining first-half at Ewood Park, the game kicked into gear after the break.

Ipswich Town had Jacob Greaves sent off four minutes into the second half for pulling down Yuki Ohashi, and things got even worse for the visiting team ten minutes later.

Todd Cantwell, a former Norwich City star, put away a penalty just before the hour-mark to give Blackburn Rovers the lead.

However, in torrential rain in Lancashire, the game descended into chaos. With 80 minutes on the clock and the score at 1-0, referee Steve Martin paused the game. Sadly, it never got going again, and now we don’t know what to expect next.

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EFL rules as Blackburn Rovers vs Ipswich Town abandoned

In fairness, the game reached a point where the ball was unable to even move on the pitch. Why Ewood Park was in that state is another matter, but for now we’re focused on what will happen to this particular game.

As per EFL rules, it is stated: “All League Matches shall be of 90 minutes’ duration. Any League Match which from any cause whatever falls short of that duration may be ordered to count as a completed fixture or be replayed in full or in part.

“This is based on whatever terms and conditions the Board shall in their absolute discretion determine and shall be played in compliance with these Regulations and the Football Association Rules respectively and under the Laws of the Game as approved by the International Football Association Board.

“In the event of conflict between any such Rules, Regulations and Laws as aforesaid, the Football Association Rules shall prevail.”

All we know at this stage is that Blackburn Rovers themselves said: “A decision on whether the fixture will be replayed in full will be made by the EFL Board in due course.”

We would assume it is highly unlikely that the EFL would simply register this as a Blackburn Rovers victory. Some kind of replay will surely have to take place.

Whether that is for a duration of ten minutes, or starting from zero, remains to be seen.

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Blackburn Rovers will be fuming if they have to start again

One thing’s for sure: Ipswich Town would love to start this game over again. The ironic thing is, Kieran McKenna had a run-in with Steve Martin in the past. Now, we’re sure he’s forgiven and forgotten all of that.

Blackburn Rovers, on the other hand, will be livid if they have to replay the whole game. They rightfully held the advantage going into the final ten minutes, and three points is no less than Valerien Ismael deserved.

Winning that game would keep a 29-year record at bay for Blackburn. Not since 1996 have Rovers lost all three of their opening home games in a season.

In the 80 minutes played, Blackburn had more possession (51.4%), more xG (1.41) and more shots (11). To have to do all that again would be cruel.