Ross backs ref over Accrington decisions

Jack Ross believes referee Oliver Langford did as much as he could in ‘difficult circumstances’.

There had been heavy rain in the days leading up to the game and the pitch looked heavy but despite a late downpour prior to kick-off the game started as normal, the rain having eased at 3pm.

The problem came in the second half when further heavy rain raised concerns over player safety, the game abandoned after 73 minutes.

“In fairness to the referee, he spoke to myself and John [Coleman] when I arrived [at the stadium],” said Ross, who joked the heavy rain would be considered ‘light drizzle’ in Scotland.

“He had some concerns over it but what I would say is that the pitch is actually good and in the main it played okay in the conditions.

“This side [nearest the main stand] in particular was a concern, that was my concern during the warmup. It wasn’t ideal and the playersstayedoffitbutthen that isn’t how it is going to go in the game.

“The match official did as much as he could in difficult circumstances, it was not easy for him.”

EFL rules state it is at the discretion of the league’s board what happens when fixtures are abandoned meaning they could order that the result stands.

However, the expected resolution is that the fixture will be ordered to be replayed, likely to be in the New Year.

It has been a long-standing myth that fixtures that reach a certain duration are automatically forced to count as a completed fixture, but the reality is that it is all down to the EFL board.

Rule 33.2 states that “Any League Match which from any cause whatever falls short of 90 (ninety) minutes’ duration may be ordered to count as a completed fixture or be replayed in full or in part on whatever terms and conditions the Board shall in their absolute discretion determine and shall be played in compliance with these Regulations and the Football Association Rules respectively and under the Laws of the Game as approved by the International Football Association Board”.