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Football finance expert Adam Williams has weighed in on the legalities behind the EFL’s decision to replay Blackburn Rovers’ game against Ipswich Town.
One of the big stories from this week is the EFL‘s decision to replay Blackburn Rovers‘ game against Ipswich Town, which was abandoned last weekend.
Blackburn were leading 1-0 with 10 minutes to play and Ipswich Town were a man down. Inevitably, Rovers boss Valerien Ismael wants the three points to be his, but the EFL have made the controversial decision to replay the game starting at 0-0.
Subsequently, fans have questioned the decision. It’s also been suggested that Blackburn Rovers could take legal action against the EFL in the event that they eventually miss out on a top six spot by three or less points, if they now go on to lose the game against Ipswich.
Expert plays down Blackburn Rovers legal action against EFL after Ipswich Town decision
As ever with these kinds of scenarios, there’s a lot to take into consideration. And if the situation arose where Blackburn did miss out on either promotion or the play-offs and they looked back to this decision as a reason, there would need to be a lot of other things to fall into place to make a case.
Speaking to EFL Analysis, football finance expert Adam Williams reviewed the situation, citing Burnley’s current case against the Premier League: “The reality is that it, if Blackburn were to take action, it would almost certainly be an arbitration or internal process rather than an actual civil lawsuit. They would have to demonstrate that there has been negligence, a breach of rules, or unfair treatment.
“It would probably come down to the legal principle known as ‘loss of a chance’, which is what Burnley are currently arguing based on in their ongoing dispute with Everton at the International Dispute Resolution Centre.
“Burnley argue that they lost the chance to stay up in 2021-22 because of Everton’s overspending, which saw them breach PSR. They are looking for £50m, which they say is roughly the revenue they have missed out on by being relegated.
“They won’t get that much – instead, there will be a calculation made in terms of how likely it is that Everton’s spending affected them, and damages or a settlement will probably be paid out based on that.
In Blackburn’s case, they would similarly have to argue that the abandonment of the game and EFL’s subsequent decision to order a replay has cost them the chance of a promotion or a play-off spot.
“I think it’s very unlikely that they go down that route. There are so many things that would need to fall into place. And it would be a huge risk for them, given the money that they would have to pay in legal fees and in terms of jeopardising relationships in the EFL. I’m not sure Venky’s have the appetite for that.
“Personally, I think the EFL decision completely defies common sense. Play the last 10 minutes plus added time behind closed doors. Why overcomplicate it? Alternatively, there is a precedent for giving a goal away. I’m not sure about going a man down. But if Ipswich showed some class, there are surely ways around it without the need for anyone to get litigious.”
Ismael and Kieran McKenna in disagreement after game abandoned
This case looks like it might only be getting started, especially after it was revealed that Ismael and Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna were in disagreement over the game being abandoned.
Ismael has refuted claims that he agreed for the match to end, per reports, whilst McKenna and Ipswich Town were calling for the game to be abandoned, whilst they were trailing.
It’s claimed that Ismael wasn’t even consulted about the decision to call the game off, making this whole saga all the more complex and controversial.
It looks like it’ll end with the replay though, but if Blackburn lose then it’ll only cause more of a storm.