Blackburn furious as EFL orders full replay of abandoned Championship clash

Blackburn Rovers were left furious after the English Football League ordered the Championship match against Ipswich Town to be replayed in full, despite Blackburn leading 1-0 in the 80th minute when the game was abandoned due to heavy rain at Ewood Park. Ipswich Town defender Jacob Greaves had been sent off earlier, leaving Ipswich with 10 men as the match was halted.

The match had been paused by referee Steve Martin because of torrential rainfall, and the pitch subsequently became unplayable, forcing the officials to abandon the fixture. There had been speculation about whether the game could be resumed from the point of abandonment with the same scoreline later in the day, but the EFL board ultimately ruled that the fixture must be replayed in full. Blackburn supporters and officials have since been informed of the rematch, though a date has yet to be scheduled as the clubs consider their options.

In a club statement, Blackburn Rovers expressed strong disappointment with the decision, arguing that Blackburn held both a scoreline and a numerical advantage with ten minutes of normal time remaining and were on course to record a third Championship victory in four games. The statement noted that the club had reviewed all options under the Regulations and submissions from both sides, and that the EFL board had determined the match must be replayed in its entirety. Blackburn added that the decision does not reflect the circumstances on the day and that the club would seek further clarity from the league and consider all avenues, including an appeal, before commenting further.

The decision was acknowledged by the EFL board, which said it had comprehensively considered all options available in accordance with the Regulations and the representations made by both clubs. It was a majority verdict to replay the fixture in full, a move the board described as preserving the integrity of the competition and ensuring a complete set of fixtures is played to a conclusion on the day. The league also signaled that it would use the experience to consult clubs on developing new guidance for the event of future match abandonments.

Blackburn manager Valerien Ismael said his side had a right to claim the three points, though the rematch remains without a date and could test the squad’s adaptability as the season progresses. The teams sit 17th and 18th in the standings, making even a single victory in the rematch potentially pivotal for both sides. Ipswich Town, by contrast, will enter the replay with a numerical disadvantage already behind them and a clean slate ahead, a dynamic that adds a different kind of pressure to the upcoming fixture.

As both clubs weigh their options, the EFL’s signaling of new guidance for abandoned matches may shape how the league handles similar situations in the future, but for now, the focus is on rescheduling a fair contest that reflects the outcome on the day in which the play was halted.