EFL handed Blackburn Rovers vs Ipswich Town replay verdict – ‘what else can you do?’

The English Football League have been told the fairest way to decide the outcome of what should happen following Blackburn Rovers vs Ipswich Town postponement

TalkSPORT pundits Ally McCoist and Jeff Stelling believe Blackburn Rovers’ Championship clash with Ipswich Town should be replayed despite the ‘unfortunate’ circumstances which led to its postponement this weekend.

The EFL is set to decide the outcome of Saturday’s game, which was abandoned by referee Stephen Martin in the 80th minute due to a torrential downpour of rain. Valerian Ismael’s side were 1-0 up heading into the final few minutes of the clash.

Todd Cantwell had given Rovers the lead from the penalty spot in the 59th minute, with Ipswich down to ten men after Jacob Greaves was shown a red card in the 49th minute.

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Neither Rovers nor Ipswich would talk to the media post-match in an attempt to avoid jeopardising any potential EFL decision.

An EFL statement read: “The decision was taken in agreement with both managers. The Board will now consider what action is to be taken as a result of the abandonment, in line with EFL Regulations.”

EFL regulation 34.2 states: “Any League match which from any cause falls whatever short of 90 minutes’ duration may be ordered to count as a completed fixture or be replayed in full, or in part, on whatever term and conditions the Board shall in their absolute discretion determine.”

There is little precedent from the EFL regarding what might happen regarding the game’s outcome, though, while Cantwell’s goal has been expunged from the records, Greaves has been given a one-match suspension.

Speaking on their Monday breakfast show, McCoist believes it’ll be impossible to only play the final ten minutes of the game, with the ‘only logical solution’ replaying the game in full.

“It’s impossible,” McCoist said when discussing the potential of playing the final ten minutes of the game. “You’ve got to make the best of a nearly-impossible situation.

“I watched the highlights and I saw Todd Cantwell’s penalty, I saw the sending off. My opinion, I think you’ve got to replay the match.

“I mean, it’s a real crying shame for Blackburn, but what else can you do? You can’t play the last 10 minutes and say ‘you’ve only got 10 men’ because circumstances will change.

“You won’t get the same players, there will be players injured, players suspended. It’s not ideal, but I just think you have to play the match again.”

“I agree, it’s really unfortunate if you’re Blackburn,” Stelling added. “But if you play the last 10 minutes, you can’t insist the same 10 Ipswich players would come out and the same XI Blackburn players would come out,” he said.

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