Saints want probe into late call-off
ST JOHNSTONE last night demanded an SPFL investigation into why yesterday’s match at Dundee United was called off just over 90 minutes before kick-off.
The Premiership clash at Tannadice, which was due to start at 3pm, failed a second pitch inspection at 1.15pm after an initial check at noon by referee Colin Steven.
United, who have undersoil heating, announced the game had succumbed to the freezing conditions ‘due to a small area of the pitch still not being sufficiently thawed out’.
The game has been rearranged for this Tuesday at 6.30pm. But Saints now want league chiefs to probe why their Tayside rivals were unable to host the match.
A St Johnstone statement read: ‘We are disappointed the game was called off just over 90 minutes from kick-off.
‘With Dundee United having undersoil heating, we fully expected the fixture to go ahead. We did not expect this.
‘We now fully expect the SPFL to look into why the game could not be played and why it was such a late call-off.
‘Callum (Davidson) and the players prepared for this game and we feel for them not to have the game on.
‘Thankfully, with supporters not being allowed into games, none of our fans had travelled to Tannadice. So, that’s an upside.
‘It was also the day that Dundee United paid their tributes to Jim McLean after his sad passing. All in all, it’s been far from ideal.’
Dundee’s Scottish Cup tie against Bonnyrigg Rose at
Dens Park – 200 yards from Tannadice — did, however, go ahead last night.