Category Sports News

Blackburn Rovers’ Championship fixture against Ipswich Town is to be replayed in full following its abandonment on Saturday.

The fixture was called off in the 79th minute due to heavy rainfall at Ewood Park making the pitch unplayable, with Blackburn leading 1-0 courtesy of Todd Cantwell’s second-half penalty.

Cantwell’s goal will now no longer stand given the game will be replayed, but Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves, who was sent off, will still have to serve a suspension.

“The decision follows recent precedents relating to abandoned fixtures and is intended to uphold the integrity of the league competition which should, wherever possible, be based on a complete set of fixtures played to a conclusion on the day,” the statement said.

“The board recognised that this was an incredibly difficult decision and agreed to consult clubs on the best approach to the development of new guidance to be considered in the event of a match abandonment.”

In addition, the EFL said that three Championship directors abstained from the vote.

Blackburn had won twice in six games in all competitions heading into Saturday’s fixture. A victory would have given them a third win in four games, and moved them to 11th place in the Championship table rather than their current position of 18th.

Ipswich, who have had an inconsistent return to the second tier after relegation from the Premier League, have won once this season, with one defeat and three draws. They remain a place above Rovers on goal difference.

In response, Blackburn said that they were disappointed by the decision and will look to appeal the decision.

“Whilst Blackburn Rovers respects the processes undertaken by the EFL and acknowledges the complexities involved, the club is extremely disappointed by the outcome, which fails to take into account the significant advantages Rovers held at the time of abandonment,” a club statement said.

“Blackburn Rovers is committed to upholding the integrity of the competition, however we strongly feel that the decision to replay the entire fixture does not accurately reflect the circumstances on the day.

Earlier this week, Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael said that giving his side three points in the aftermath of the abandonment would be the “fairest thing to do”.

“We’ve got the right to want the three points because it’s the fair thing to do, especially when the opponent is down to 10 [men],” Ismael said in an interview on the club’s YouTube channel.

“Eleven versus 11 is another situation. We were clearly at an advantage and the data shows that we were on the front foot since the red card.”

A match can only be postponed or abandoned with the approval of the referee, authorities, or by the order of the police.

If a Premier League or EFL game is abandoned after kick-off, but before 90 minutes has been played, the fixture will either be:

Matt Fitzpatrick, a member of Europe, claims that his parents, in part due to abusive American fans they encountered four years ago, have decided not to compete at Bethpage.

In the days leading up to the biennial three-day event, the level of partisan support at the New York course this weekend and whether it will cross the line have been a hot topic of conversation.

When the contest was last played on American soil at Whistling Straits, Fitzpatrick’s parents, Russell and Susan, heard objectionable remarks toward Europeans, Fitzpatrick recently told the Times.

Another significant reason for his parents’ absence, according to Fitzpatrick’s wife, is that they will play alongside him in the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews the following week.

The Englishman, who is making his fourth Ryder Cup appearance on Thursday, said at Bethpage, “There is, obviously, a little bit of] the previous abuse] they didn’t have a great experience in Whistling Straits.

The other thing is that they didn’t really want to ruin the Dunhill experience because that’s obviously unique.

There is no disputing that they had negative experiences in the past, but it is impossible to imagine that this has to be the case.

The European team’s attitude toward them during this week’s practice sessions, which were largely respectful and admirative, has been largely polite and encouraging.

When accompanied by an adult who pays for a $255 (£190) ticket, children under the age of 15 are given free admission.

American player Collin Morikawa described the lead-up as being “tame” and expressed the hope that “Friday is just absolute chaos” from the home fans.

Ireland’s Shane Lowry claimed that his wife had been subjected to “dog’s abuse” from American fans following Europe’s crushing defeat in Whistling Straits in 2021.

Lowry made an effort on Thursday to avoid any incendiary comments, just like Fitzpatrick and in keeping with the European team’s careful PR strategy.

Going there was a surprise surprise because that was my first Ryder Cup experience, and it was obviously my first away one, according to the 2019 Open champion.

However, it never comes as bad when you’re ready for something. I think the New Yorkers have enjoyed themselves so far this week.

It’s obvious that practice days are coming up, but it’s also a little bit lighter. It is what it is. The Americans must have had a bad time at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, which I’m pretty sure was not.

You must be yourself, conduct your own business, and make the most of it. You let it help you rather than hinder you.

“I believe we are mentally and physically prepared for it all.” We’ll see”.

There is anticipated to be a noticeable change in the American fans’ attitudes toward the visitors when the action begins for real on Friday.

Sean Mateiko, a Long Islander who was present on Wednesday’s practice day with his two children, told BBC Sport, “We’re not going to attack the Europeans today. Let’s wait for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.”

Other partisan home supporters have argued that Europeans must have “some thick skin” in order for Americans to “not hold back.”

Matt Fitzpatrick, a member of Europe, claims that his parents, in part due to abusive American fans they encountered four years ago, have decided not to compete at Bethpage.

In the days leading up to the biennial three-day event, the level of partisan support at the New York course this weekend and whether it will cross the line have been a hot topic of conversation.

When the contest was last played on American soil at Whistling Straits, Fitzpatrick’s parents, Russell and Susan, heard objectionable remarks toward Europeans, Fitzpatrick recently told the Times.

Another significant reason for his parents’ absence, according to Fitzpatrick’s wife, is that they will play alongside him in the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews the following week.

The Englishman, who is making his fourth Ryder Cup appearance on Thursday, said at Bethpage, “There is, obviously, a little bit of] the previous abuse] they didn’t have a great experience in Whistling Straits.

The other thing is that they didn’t really want to ruin the Dunhill experience because that’s obviously unique.

There is no disputing that they had negative experiences in the past, but it is impossible to imagine that this has to be the case.

The European team’s attitude toward them during this week’s practice sessions, which were largely respectful and admirative, has been largely polite and encouraging.

When accompanied by an adult who pays for a $255 (£190) ticket, children under the age of 15 are given free admission.

American player Collin Morikawa described the lead-up as being “tame” and expressed the hope that “Friday is just absolute chaos” from the home fans.

Ireland’s Shane Lowry claimed that his wife had been subjected to “dog’s abuse” from American fans following Europe’s crushing defeat in Whistling Straits in 2021.

Lowry made an effort on Thursday to avoid any incendiary comments, just like Fitzpatrick and in keeping with the European team’s careful PR strategy.

Going there was a surprise surprise because that was my first Ryder Cup experience, and it was obviously my first away one, according to the 2019 Open champion.

However, it never comes as bad when you’re ready for something. I think the New Yorkers have enjoyed themselves so far this week.

It’s obvious that practice days are coming up, but it’s also a little bit lighter. It is what it is. The Americans must have had a bad time at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, which I’m pretty sure was not.

You must be yourself, conduct your own business, and make the most of it. You let it help you rather than hinder you.

“I believe we are mentally and physically prepared for it all.” We’ll see”.

There is anticipated to be a noticeable change in the American fans’ attitudes toward the visitors when the action begins for real on Friday.

Sean Mateiko, a Long Islander who was present on Wednesday’s practice day with his two children, told BBC Sport, “We’re not going to attack the Europeans today. Let’s wait for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.”

Other partisan home supporters have argued that Europeans must have “some thick skin” in order for Americans to “not hold back.”

We thought we’d mark it with a delightfully challenging quiz in the wake of the possibility that a fantastic 12-year Test career might be over.

Since World War Two, Woakes is one of 72 men’s cricket players who has taken 100 wickets and 1,000 runs. What is the other 71, please?

We thought we’d mark it with a delightfully challenging quiz in the wake of the possibility that a fantastic 12-year Test career might be over.

Since World War Two, Woakes is one of 72 men’s cricket players who has taken 100 wickets and 1,000 runs. What is the other 71, please?

Any attempt to outlaw Israel from competing in the 2026 World Cup will be blocked by the US government.

Israel has committed a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, according to a UN commission of inquiry earlier this month.

That has prompted the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and a panel of UN experts to demand sanctions for the nation.

The US, Mexico, and Canada will host the World Cup in 2014 on a joint venture.

We will work without fail to attempt to avert Israel’s participation in the World Cup, according to a US State Department spokesman.

Meanwhile, there are rumors that the Uefa, the body responsible for organizing World Cup qualifying matches in Europe, may meet to decide whether to suspend Israel as soon as next week.

According to a senior source at a member association in Europe, “Uefa leadership wants to see some action on this.”

Nothing has been confirmed or scheduled. However, many nations are now putting forth new, high-level pressure in comparison to last month.

On October 11 in Oslo, Israel will face Norway in a World Cup qualifying match.

Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian football federation, stated earlier this month that while her organization “can deal with the humanitarian suffering that is occurring in the region, especially the disproportionate attacks against civilians in Gaza,” it cannot and will not be indifferent to it.”

The Italian FA has also discussed the difficulties of hosting Israel, which Italy hosts on October 14 in Udine.

According to the UN report, there are logical grounds to believe that four of the five genocidal crimes have been committed since the war’s start in 2023.

The UN’s panel of human rights experts then requested that Israel’s national team be exempt from international football by sending a request to the world’s football governing body Fifa and its European counterpart Uefa, saying that “sports must reject the perception that it is business as usual.”

Israel has consistently disputed that the actions taken in Gaza constitute a genocide and that they are necessary as a means of self-defense. The UN report was deemed “distorted and false” by its foreign ministry.

In response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the hostage of 251, the Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza.

Since the UN’s report, there have been more calls to ban Israel from competing in sports.

And it comes as a result of reports that Uefa may decide whether to suspend Israel the following week. No meeting is currently being planned, according to Uefa.

In their group of nine points, Israel is third behind Norway, who was organized by Uefa.

The winning team will automatically advance to the World Cup, with the losing team going on to the play-offs.

Sanchez, the prime minister of Spain, argued that Israel should be barred from international sports competitions in the same way that Russia should be.

Israel can’t continue to “whitewash its image” using any international platforms, Sanchez said.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the national team has been prohibited from competing in international football competitions.

BBC Sport contacted the Israeli FA to ask for comment, and Fifa has been contacted for comment.

Sanchez’s remarks came as pro-Palestinian protesters reportedly entered a portion of the Vuelta a Espana course in Madrid’s center earlier this month, prompting the suspension of the competition.

Protesters smashed down barriers and occupied the road at various intersections along the route, including Gran Via, where cyclists were repeatedly required to pass.

Russian and Belarusian athletes were prohibited from competing at the 2024 Olympics under the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

IOC President Kirsty Coventry responded to a question about sanctioning Israeli athletes earlier this week, saying that the “sports movement must showcase the good that is in humanity.”

Palestinian supporters also displayed banners and flags on Wednesday during their Europa League game against Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Fans chanted “Stop the genocide” and “Show Israel the red card,” in English.

After Maccabi supporters raised an Israeli flag, “Free Palestine,” chants were also audible.

Following earlier in the day’s protests in Thessaloniki, when supporters and activist groups gathered to protest Israel’s participation in European football.

Demonstrators backed a petition launched this week that claimed there could be “no fair play with representatives of genocide,” and submitted more than 1,900 signatures to Uefa.

The current conflict between Israel and Gaza had caused the match to be considered high risk, with PAOK warning supporters before the game: “The display of banners, messages, or flags with political content could result in heavy sanctions for our club.”

On November 6th, Maccabi travel to Villa Park for the Europa League match.