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The English Football League have provided a major update on when fans can expect to hear the decision on Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town’s potential replay.
The Championship clash was abandoned on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch after heavy rainfall at Ewood Park, with the game called off with Blackburn 1-0 up, Ipswich down to 10 men and 80 minutes on the clock.
EFL abandonment rules state that games that do not reach the 90 minute duration mark can either be concluded there or be replayed in part or in full. Many have had their say on what they think should happen. Blackburn captain Todd Cantwell says the EFL should do the ‘fair’ thing, while former Rangers star Ally McCoist labelled it an ‘impossible’ situation.
Now, the EFL have released a statement clarifying when fans can expect an answer on the situation.
EFL confirm discussions on Blackburn Rovers vs Ipswich Town will be held by the end of this week
In a statement released on EFL Communications’ X account on Wednesday, the EFL said: “Following the abandonment of the Sky Bet Championship fixture between Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town, the two clubs were given a deadline of 4pm today to make any final representations to the league.
“Once in receipt of the submissions, the matter will be discussed by the EFL Board before the end of this week, with the outcome to be confirmed shortly thereafter.”
Blackburn and Ipswich’s fate is in the hands of the EFL board, which is made up of 10 members.
They only have Blackpool vs Huddersfield’s controversial abandonment in 2015 to compare to, with fans waiting 12 days for that outcome to be announced.
How Ipswich Town and Blackburn Rovers’ managers have reacted to the abandonment
Blackburn manager Valerien Ismael claimed Rovers should be given a ‘reward’ following the abandonment.
“It’s clear that when you are 1-0 up, down to ten men for the opponent, we’ve got the momentum… yes on one hand they can score a goal, but on the other hand we have the possibility to score as well,” he said. “We faced this situation against Norwich, we were down to ten but we were pushing, the feeling then was we can score, but we conceded a goal and we lost 2-0.
“I think for us we’ve got the right to want the three points in that situation because I think it’s the fair thing to do, especially when the opponent is down to ten.”
He continued: “So we expected that we get the reward because I think this is the fair thing to do. But apart from that, one thing from my side has to be really clear. I saw a report from the EFL at the end of the game and I never agreed to stop the game.”
Meanwhile Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna said it was ‘impossible to finish the game’ due to the conditions and said he hopes to reward the travelling Tractor boys fans for having to go home empty handed.