Town’s abandoned game against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park will be restaged in full, the EFL has confirmed, while the Lancastrians say they will look at the possibility of appealing.

The match was curtailed after 80 minutes due to a waterlogged pitch with the hosts 1-0 up and the Blues down to 10 men.

After the game, the EFL said three options would be under consideration from its board, declaring the result as it was when the players went off, playing the final 10 minutes at a later date or restaging the match entirely.

The latter always appeared the most likely and following a meeting today that has been confirmed.

An EFL statement reads: “The EFL board has today determined that the Sky Bet Championship fixture between Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town should be replayed in full following its abandonment on Saturday 20 September. 

“The fixture was abandoned in the 79th minute after the referee had taken the players off the pitch following a sustained period of heavy rainfall, which caused the playing surface to become unplayable.

“The board comprehensively considered all options available in accordance with the Regulations alongside representations made by both clubs.

“It was ultimately decided by a majority that the fixture should be replayed in full. The decision follows recent precedents relating to abandoned fixtures and is intended to uphold the integrity of the League competition which should, wherever possible, be based on a complete set of fixtures played to a conclusion on the day.”

There was some disquiet among Town fans that Norwich City executive director Zoe Webber was on the board but the EFL says she, Peter Risdale (Preston) and Neil Bausor (Middlesbrough) weren't involved in the decision.

“Following due consideration, the three Championship directors abstained from the vote,” the statement adds.

“The board recognised that this was an incredibly difficult decision and agreed to consult clubs on the best approach to the development of new guidance to be considered in the event of a match abandonment.

“A new date for the fixture will be confirmed by the respective clubs in due course.”

Blackburn are less than impressed with the decision and have released a statement in which they say they will look to appeal if at all possible.

It reads: “Blackburn Rovers regrettably confirms that the EFL board has ruled that the Championship fixture against Ipswich Town should be replayed in full at a later date.

“The match, which took place at Ewood Park on Saturday, was called off in the 80th minute due to an unplayable playing surface following extreme weather conditions throughout the day.

“At the time of the abandonment, Rovers were leading 1-0, thanks to Todd Cantwell’s second-half penalty, and Ipswich Town had been reduced to 10 men following Jacob Greaves’s sending off.

“Holding both a scoreline and numerical advantage, and with just 10 minutes of normal time remaining, Rovers were on course to record a third Championship victory in four games.

“However, following a review of all options available in accordance with the regulations, alongside submissions made by both clubs, the EFL board ultimately concluded that the match must be replayed in its entirety.

“Whilst Blackburn Rovers respects the processes undertaken by the EFL and acknowledges the complexities involved, the club is extremely disappointed by the outcome, which fails to take into account the significant advantages Rovers held at the time of abandonment.

“Blackburn Rovers is committed to upholding the integrity of the competition, however, we strongly feel that the decision to replay the entire fixture does not accurately reflect the circumstances on the day.

“The club is now seeking further clarity from the EFL and will consider all options, including the right to appeal the decision, and will make no further comment on the matter at this stage.”

Despite the restaging and all other elements from the game being expunged, Jacob Greaves will still serve a one-match ban for his red card.

Photo: IMAGO/Pro Sports Images via Reuters Connect

BlueNomad added 16:49 - Sep 25 That is first three HOME games! My wife has virtually no interest in football but I did mention what was happening a couple of days ago. Her immediate reply was that “surely the whole game should be played again. It’s common sense.” No emotion in it whatsoever and put in that context Blackburn whinging seems pathetic.
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Orraman added 16:50 - Sep 25 Of course I am delighted that the game will be replayed in entirety there is one unexplained anomaly. This will forever be a ‘ghost’ game recorded nowhere and Cantwell’s goal similarly disappearing into the clouds, yet the red card received by Jacob Greaves will stand. Where will this be recorded in the historical records of the EFL? Surely if this game is not recorded in said records how does the red card remain active?

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PutneyBlue added 16:51 - Sep 25 Tha majority may just mean that those that voted all voted for this, but 3 didn't vote for it as they abstained
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CaseyJones added 16:57 - Sep 25 They will be throwing there Black pudding out of their Prams over this I reckon !
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marshland added 16:58 - Sep 25 As a Town fan it is a great decision but looking at the situation overall it is ridiculous that set rules have never been agreed. While the panel may be the best solution for abandonments due to incidents that are the fault of home or away club there should be a preset agreement for weather related abandonments so that officials, teams and fans all know the implication at the time. The statement that the League will consult with clubs to get an agreement to set a rule covering any future abandonment's is good to hear

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smudge57 added 17:11 - Sep 25 Should have been abandoned earlier and as EFL have taken nearly 5 days making the correct decision an appeal success must be very unlikely to be successful.
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Recenttownie added 17:24 - Sep 25 As a lover of footbsll - at all levels and a long-time referee and county administrator, I am disappointed with the referee for playing on so long when conditions had gone past the stage of suitability for football and player safety. EFL have made the common sense decision given the circumstances. May seem tough on Blackburn, but game should never have gone on so long. Also red card remains - so 1 match ban for Jacob.

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blues1 added 17:38 - Sep 25 Oldburian. No, the 3 members of the board, involved with championship clubs abstained from voting. Clearly states that in the story.
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blues1 added 17:41 - Sep 25 Northlondonblue. Try reading the whole story. Clewrlyvstates that the 3 championship members ofcthe board abstained from voting. Hence why it was a majority.
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Tampa_Florida_Blue added 17:42 - Sep 25 Having lived and worked in Blackburn it is locally known as being the wettest area in the Uk. The hills around it traps the rain clouds. With this being known why was not the weather gurus not spoken to at half time so the match should have been canceled at half time. Sorry but this is on Blackburn. They knew that storm was coming in. Poor refereeing in my opinion

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LegendofthePhoenix added 17:59 - Sep 25 Shocking and amateurish that the rules never accounted for this scenario. But it was also a shambles 3 years ago at Oxford when we were the team disadvantaged by EFL rules not being clear. It was obvious at half time that the match needed to be abandoned (as it was at Oxford), and the ref bottled it. A lot of lessons to learn from this.
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Bert added 18:04 - Sep 25 The three that “abstained” excused themselves from voting and taking part which is the right and proper thing to do. An abstention is when someone cannot make up their mind either way. To those on the outside this may have looked a long drawn out affair but the EFL on this occasion conducted themselves properly and took time to let both clubs put their position. Rules are always open to interpretation and never totally cast in stone. We make civil laws from an Act of Parliament but it is the courts that interpret them when there is a dispute; similar but different context of course.

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Mark added 18:13 - Sep 25 It was the only sensible decision, but good to have it confirmed. Norwich City executive director Zoe Webber reportedly abstained.
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Lord_Mac added 18:47 - Sep 25 Maybe Blackburn should be fined 5 points for not providing an adequate playing surface and then frivolously contesting the only logical outcome.
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