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Why we could not call off game against Middlesbrough - Leicester City

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Leicester City have explained why their big promotion clash at a snow-bound King Power Stadium had to go ahead.

Friday night's game against Middlesbrough went ahead, despite many thousands of supporters missing out because of the bad weather, traffic gridlock and no buses running.

From an expected crowd of around 20,000, only 8,585, City's lowest league attendance since 1991, were in the stadium.

Many fans, who had tickets for the game. were left angry at the decision.

In a statement from the club, City said it was "regrettable" so many fans could not make it.

They stressed it was the club's responsibility to do everything they could to get the game on and that a postponement could only have been decided by the match officials, the local safety advisory group or the police.

"The club understands the disappointment of these fans and would like to take the opportunity to clarify the procedures and regulations surrounding the fulfillment of games, so that all of our loyal supporters have a complete and accurate understanding of the obligations of all clubs when hosting a home fixture, and the circumstances of last Friday in particular," City said in the statement.

"In anticipation of adverse weather in the build-up to Friday night's game, the club took every possible precaution to ensure that the fixture went ahead, while liaising regularly with the Football League, the match officials, the relevant local authorities, Middlesbrough Football Club and supporters.

"Such advance planning – including the provision of additional personnel, resources and equipment throughout the day, coupled with the outstanding efforts of the club's grounds, stadium and safety staff, ensured that King Power Stadium was fully operational.

"As a consequence of the successful preparation, the match officials decided that the game should go ahead.

"While we appreciate that, very regrettably, the adverse weather made it difficult for a significant number of supporters to attend the game, only the match officials, the city's Safety Advisory Group or the police can initiate a postponement.

"Once both playing squads, the match officials and essential stadium staff had arrived and the requisite conditions had been deemed fit for play, there were no grounds on which the match officials or relevant agencies would take such action.

"The club would like to express its sincere appreciation to the fans that did make it to the game and contributed to an important result for the team."

The Football League has backed the decision.

A spokesman for the Football League said game should have gone ahead.

He added: "These were exceptional and challenging circumstances that were outside of Leicester City's control. We are satisfied that it was correct to play the match."

Spokesmen for the three City supporters groups said the club were not to blame as the they did not possess the power to postpone the game.

However, they said members were unhappy and Cliff Ginnetta, chairman of the Official Supporters' Club, called on Sky TV to reimburse the fans.

"There is no doubt in my mind that had the game not been on Sky it would not have gone ahead," he said.

Matt Davies, of the Foxes Trust, added: "It is a sad fact that television has a such a major influence over whether a game goes ahead or not."

Lance Tomlyn, spokesman for the Independent Supporters Association, said Friday night's gridlock was difficult to predict.

"I don't think anyone, including the police and health and safety committee, foresaw the gridlock," he said

"I think if they had then they might well have made a different decision."

Why we could not call off game against Middlesbrough - Leicester City


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