Rotherham - Not a done deal yet

From WOL …

Cardiff City's abandoned clash with Rotherham United could yet result in a number of different outcomes amid an investigation.

The match at the New York Stadium was abandoned just a couple of minutes after half-time following a freak downpour that left visible surface water in several areas of the playing surface.

Cardiff were winning 1-0 at the time, and are believed to unhappy with how the incident was handled by the Millers, whose groundstaff also found themselves in the firing line on a shambolic afternoon in south Yorkshire.

READ MORE: Cardiff City demand answers over Rotherham 'shambles'

It's understood the EFL are still in talks with both clubs over the circumstances of the decision, and will take time to review all evidence before opting for their next move.

Despite suggestions to the contrary, there are no formal EFL regulations around the abandonment of matches, with the league instead treating each occasion on a case-by-case basis.

Additionally, the proposed 75-minute cut-off point for games being replayed is not actually a formal rule.

Suggestions of such measures appear to have been fuelled by a recent League 1 clash between Oxford United and Ipswich Town back in January, which was halted by thick fog.

Referee Bobby Madden brought the two bosses together to inform them that if the match was abandoned after the 75th minute then the scoreline of 1-1 would have stood as the final result. Both decided to continue, and Oxford went on to win the game.

However, there's actually no such rule in the EFL regulations, with each case instead handled at the league's discretion.

The logic is that because postponements often happen for different reasons, the league cannot apply a one-size-fits-all approach.

As a result, nothing has yet been taken off the table in regards to what happens next, although some possibilities are clearly more likely than others.

Indeed, it's still possible Cardiff could yet be awarded three points for the win - and it wouldn't be the first time the EFL has gone down that route.

For example, when Blackpool's clash with Huddersfield Town was abandoned on the final day of the 2014/15 season, the result was eventually declared a 0-0 draw.

Tangerines fans staged a pitch invasion 48 minutes into the fixture as part of a protest against the club's ownership, holding the game up for an hour before the decision was made to call it off. As well as the match being declared a draw, Blackpool were also subsequently charged for failing to fulfil the fixture.

However, given the hosts were already relegated and Huddersfield were safe, the result was, in the context of their respective seasons, ultimately meaningless.

On that occasion, the EFL clearly saw little point in re-arranging the game.

Given the potential impact Cardiff's trip to Rotherham may have on the Championship relegation battle, it seems unlikely the EFL will reach the same conclusion this time.

Another potential option would be to restart the game from the point of it being called off, but there doesn't seem to be an awful lot of appetite for that outcome. Both sides could face challenges in terms of fielding the same teams, for instance, while other aspects like weather conditions, are likely to be different.

That will inevitably spark concerns over fairness and the integrity of the fixture.

For now, the league are continuing to investigate, and it's understood that if Rotherham are deemed to be at fault for the game's abandonment, it could well have an impact on the EFL's decision.

Then again, the burden of proof in such circumstances seems murky, with Rotherham likely to argue they did all they could to get the game on.

As such, a rearranged fixture from the start appears to be the most likely outcome at this stage.

But it is a done deal on the pitch. A rearranged fixture, full 90 mins and a 0-0 start. That is the only option.

People nowadays always feel hard done by and expect compensation above and beyond what actually happened.

In this case there are two separate incidents. The first has sorted itself..... the game could not continue and needs to be replayed.

The second is the state of the grounds drainage, groundsman staffing levels and equipment available. In this case Rotherham may, at best, get a fine.

Unlucky for us but we would expect the same if it was the other way around.

If the EFL decide all efforts where made to continue the game with 3 groundstaff going the motions and dragging water back onto the pitch then its another snowgate
and the game was only stopped for 45 mins and could have restarted 2 hours later in my view and little effort was made to even try to clear the water but this time we have lost our advantage gained
I would except starting the game 1 nil to the good
and rotherham paying for our travel expenses again otherwise the EFL are showing there true colours again toothless with a small fine for rotherham and a 2 fingers up to cardiff i hope lamochi and the club kick up a really big fuss rather than a shrug of the shoulders they decided to call it off along with howard webb
they should forfeit the game.

Read a lot into it, and all that’s stated in rules from the efl are that games will be rearranged, but that it’s the home teams responsibility to do everything to make sure games are played. So on that note they failed miserably.

I’m spain the rearranged game would just continue from when it was stopped with the same time and score etc

Thanks for posting, Paul; this certainly sheds light and gives new hope to the Bluebirds...

I always thought there was a 'cut off' where the game could be called a result but seems not...

If the video evidence is anything to go by, Rotherham are going to have some explaining to do and the EFL need to find their (proverbial) balls...

I'm hearing The Miller's are thinking of employing Boris Johnson's legal team and a man called Noah in defence of their position...

The trouble is that unless you were actually there it is difficult to fully appreciate what a farce it was.

Rotherham will say it was a freak incident due to the heavy rain and the EFL will go down the easy route and accept it . The rain was heavy for a short while but it rained for less than 15 minutes and the heavy stuff only lasted for half of that. I have seen just as bad at Cardiff and for longer and no issue. I really don't understand how it flooded so quickly. There was something seriously wrong with the drainage.

And as for the "efforts" to clear it - again you had to be there to see it.

The worst outcome for Rotherham will be a requirement for them to ensure there is adequate provision to improve the clear up procedures.

The trouble is that unless you were actually there it is difficult to fully appreciate what a farce it was.

Rotherham will say it was a freak incident due to the heavy rain and the EFL will go down the easy route and accept it . The rain was heavy for a short while but it rained for less than 15 minutes and the heavy stuff only lasted for half of that. I have seen just as bad at Cardiff and for longer and no issue. I really don't understand how it flooded so quickly. There was something seriously wrong with the drainage.

And as for the "efforts" to clear it - again you had to be there to see it.

The worst outcome for Rotherham will be a requirement for them to ensure there is adequate provision to improve the clear up procedures.

Not sure I understand why you keep saying that "you had to be there to see it", I could see the "efforts" to clear it perfectly well on the club feed.

The trouble is that unless you were actually there it is difficult to fully appreciate what a farce it was.

Rotherham will say it was a freak incident due to the heavy rain and the EFL will go down the easy route and accept it . The rain was heavy for a short while but it rained for less than 15 minutes and the heavy stuff only lasted for half of that. I have seen just as bad at Cardiff and for longer and no issue. I really don't understand how it flooded so quickly. There was something seriously wrong with the drainage.

And as for the "efforts" to clear it - again you had to be there to see it.

The worst outcome for Rotherham will be a requirement for them to ensure there is adequate provision to improve the clear up procedures.

Not sure I understand why you keep saying that "you had to be there to see it", I could see the "efforts" to clear it perfectly well on the club feed.

That may be the case, but when you are there you actually get a full appreciation of everything that happened. Watching something on a video cant always convey everything that went on. The EFL will predominantly go on the referees report. The referee was nowhere to be seen for most of the time. Having a cuppa with Howard Webb probably!

A £ 100 submersible or puddle pump from screwfix, Tool station or Selco and it would have been cleared of standing water in 15 minutes.