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Sky Sports' live clash between Rotherham and Ipswich has been called off – and Championship fans are not happy with the timing of the announcement.
The hosts said on Friday morning that the game had been expected to go ahead at 8pm – with fans beginning their travel to the game before the fresh statement mentioning that the local River Don had burst it's banks later in the day due to Storm Babet.
One fuming fan wrote: "Statement this morning ‘expected to go ahead’- not one mention of the river flooding, no communication throughout the day. Anyone could see the river flooding, but you let fans travel up. A simple ‘possibility of postponement’ statement would’ve been helpful."
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Rotherham's statement read: "Rotherham United’s Sky Bet Championship fixture against Ipswich Town has been postponed on the grounds of supporter safety following discussions with representatives from the Safety Advisory Group and the EFL which took place shortly after 4:30pm on Friday.
"After the River Don – which courses around the perimeter of AESSEAL New York Stadium – burst its banks, urgent discussions between representatives from the Safety Advisory Group/Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and club safety personnel and the EFL – were held with the conclusion deeming the weather conditions and their subsequent effect on the surrounding area a danger to supporters.
"This coupled with continued rainfall resulting in the flood waters rising and Don Street being closed to the public left the authorities with no choice but to postpone the game."
Championship fans, what do you make of the call? Tell us in the comments section below.
The club addressed their earlier stadium by saying that the stadium remained playbale throughout the day, saying that the difficult decision was not taken lightly.
Rotherham, second bottom of the table, were going into the game as the underdogs with Ipswich two points behind leaders Leicester.
The club have pledged to keep fans updated on the new date of the contest, while apologising for fans who were ready to watch the game at home.
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A second fan added: "Why didn't you make this call at midday? It was blatant this was the only decision that could be sensibly made. P*** poor handling of the whole thing."
A third fumed: "And now those Ipswich fans have a dangerous journey home too. Could have been called ages ago."
A fourth concluded: "This is so poor! Every home fan could have told you this was inevitable from early this morning!"
- Sky
- Championship
- Rotherham United FC
- Ipswich Town FC
- Footballblog
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