News Beat
Bizarre moment groundsmen use BLOWTORCH to desperately thaw pitch before EFL clash is controversially postponed
THE GROUNDSTAFF at Hull City’s MKM Stadium resorted to some unconventional methods in an attempt to prevent a postponement of their match against Watford.
The pair were scheduled to clash in the Championship on Sunday, but the game was put at risk due to the presence of ice around the pitch as freezing conditions continue to grip the UK.
The pitch itself appeared to be playable, but ice covered much of the ground around the pitch, including the managers’ technical areas.
Staff were seen using a BLOW TORCH to try to thaw the ice in these areas in a desperate attempt to get the green light for the match to go on.
But the measures proved not to be enough, with the game being called off just 18 minutes before kick-off, leaving fans frustrated and out of pocket after making the 400-mile round trip.
The home side released a statement that read: “Hull City’s Sky Bet Championship match against Watford has been postponed due to player safety concerns.
“While the pitch is playable, areas surrounding the playing surface have been deemed unsafe.
“Although this has been constantly worked on, conditions have not improved and with temperatures continuing to fall, player safety cannot be guaranteed.”
One fan said: “What an absolute joke. I feel for the Watford fans spending hard-earned money and coming all that way for a game to be called off 20 minutes before kick-off is ridiculous.”
Another added: “Feel for the Watford fans here. At the end of the day the match officials make the call, not Hull City.
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“It’s a shockingly late decision, with access to the ground unaffected and the pitch fine, only to get 20 minutes notice that an icy technical area is a postponement issue!!?”
Watford released a terse statement of their own, saying: “While player safety is paramount, we are really disappointed the game has been postponed as we were ready to play.
“The decision to postpone the fixture so close to kick-off is regrettable and we fully share the frustration of our supporters.”
They were not the only Championship sides left frustrated by a postponement, with Sheffield United being branded “embarrassing” after their game against Oxford United was also called off on Sunday.
The decision came despite the club’s Bramall Lane having under-pitch heating.
Several other EFL teams including Portsmouth, Salford, Notts County, Bromley and Walsall all saw games called off due to the icy conditions, with temperatures dropping as low as -6C in certain areas.
