Which football games have been called off due to Storm Darragh?
12/07/2024 02:44 AM
Weather warnings have been issued this weekend due to Storm Darragh and sporting events up and down the country have been postponed as a result, perhaps most notably the Merseyside derby.
South West England and Wales have been the worst hit areas of the UK, with Met Office weather warnings for wind still in place across much of the country today.
Other areas have also been hit, though, as football rivals Liverpool and Everton issued a joint statement on Friday noting concern over the possible disruption and it was confirmed on Saturday morning that the 12.30pm kick-off had been postponed.
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The Football Association of Wales issued a statement on Friday confirming that all games in the country are off on Saturday.
This means Cardiff’s clash with Watford and Newport hosting Carlisle did not take place on Saturday.
Plymouth’s Championship meeting with Oxford at Home Park was also called off after advice from the local Safety Advisory Group.
Premier League and EFL games called off
Premier League
Everton vs Liverpool
Championship
Cardiff vs Watford
Plymouth vs Oxford
League One
Bristol Rovers vs Bolton Wanderers
Crawley Town vs Stevenage
Blackpool vs Rotherham
League Two
Newport County vs Carlisle United
Notts County vs Colchester United
Barrow vs MK Dons
An Everton statement on Saturday morning read: ‘Everton's Premier League fixture against Liverpool, scheduled for 12.30pm (GMT) today, Saturday 7 December 7, has been postponed.
‘Following a Safety Advisory Group meeting at Goodison Park, attended by officials from both clubs, as well as representatives from Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council this morning, it was decided that, due to the risk to safety in the local area due to strong wind gusts, and an amber severe wind warning that remains in place until 6am on Sunday, today's fixture should be postponed on safety grounds.
‘We apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank supporters for their understanding. Whilst we appreciate this will be deeply disappointing for supporters, the safety of fans, staff and players is of paramount importance.
‘Information relating to a rearranged date for the fixture will be announced in due course.
‘All tickets purchased for the original fixture will remain valid for the rearranged fixture.’
Notts County’s League Two clash with Colchester has been postponed after the scoreboard was damaged.
A club statement read: ‘Following damage to one of the Meadow Lane scoreboards, this afternoon's Sky Bet League Two fixture against Colchester United has been postponed in the interests of spectator and player safety.
‘Two panels in the Kop scoreboard, which is fixed to the roof of the stand, have come loose in the recent high winds and it will not be possible to make the necessary repairs in time for the match to safely go ahead.
‘Following conversations with this afternoon's match officials, our opponents, the EFL and the Sports Ground Safety Authority, it's been agreed that, particularly in light of this afternoon's weather forecast, these loose panels pose a significant risk.’
Elsewhere in sport there have been cancellations in horse racing at Aintree and Chepstow after morning inspections.
Jon Pullin, Aintree’s joint-clerk of the course, said, via Racing Post: ‘We arrived at around 5.30am and it was calm then, but it picked up very quickly soon after then and it became obvious that we couldn’t race.
‘Our main concern was about the wings of fences and the safety of people and we’d already started to see significant movement on the likes of wings of fences. It’s obviously disappointing not to race, but it was a clear decision.’
The Welsh Rugby Union has also called off all matches in Wales on Saturday at all age levels.
