Severe weather takes its toll
LONDON: A European-wide deep freeze that shows no sign of stopping anytime soon led Friday to the postponement of several British sports fixtures this weekend.
And while no games in English football’s elite Premier League have yet been called off (pitches at most top-flight clubs have undersoil heating to guard against the chill) concerns have been expressed for the safety of travelling fans batting against dangerous conditions caused by a severe Siberian weather system – the so-called ‘Beast from the East’.
West Ham were flying to Wales for their match away to Swansea but manager David Moyes was worried about how the supporters would manage on icy roads.
“The Met office are saying people should not travel on the roads, especially around Cardiff and the M4, so that is a concern at the moment,” Moyes said.
“I’m guessing that’s no different for football clubs or supporters. If they are saying don’t travel I think the Premier League would have to consider that.”
It was fears over the well-being of spectators that led second-tier Ipswich to announce on Friday that Saturday’s English Championship match against Hull at Portman Road had been postponed.
“The pitch is protected and likely to be playable but the areas inside and outside the stadium are hazardous and more bad weather is forecast later today, with freezing temperatures to continue into the weekend,” said an Ipswich statement.
Other Championship postponements include Barnsley’s match against Norwich and Brentford’s fixture with Cardiff and the game between Sheffield United and Burton. Some 17 fixtures across English football’s third and fourth tiers have also fallen victim to the weather.
Three of Friday’s fixtures in the Super League rugby league tournament have been postponed and even an indoor sport such as darts is not completely immune from the weather’s icy grip.
The UK Open tournament in southwest England going ahead, but being played behind closed doors.
“Due to the unprecedented extreme weather conditions, we have regretfully decided to not allow guests to attend this weekend’s PDC Coral UK Open for safety reasons,” said a Butlin’s statement.