Football has been played professionally in England for over a century now, and many things have changed. One thing that has always been a common factor, or at least in the past 20 years or so, is the unpredictable British weather. Rain, shine, hail, thunder, we have had it all. Then why are games in the top tiers still being called off due to adverse weather conditions? As Doncaster had their match against Charlton called off at The Valley, it begs the question: what is being done to stop situations like this?
Paul Dickov has spoken of his disgust at the timing and circumstances of the abandonment. He claims the pitch was in no worse a state after half time than when the game was initially called off, inside 30 minutes. The real anger that underlies this though is that Rovers will have to replay the match from the first minute at 0-0, so losing their 3-1 advantage, but it could still see Paul Keegan suspended after he picked up a red card. How Dickov is incensed, it is clear to see. The idea that this could happen to many sides, as it looked like it could in a few games on the same day, is a real worry for the FA.
The fixture congestion is already a worry due to frozen pitches in winter, probably the busiest period in the English football calendar, but what can be done to help? A lot actually. For example, a system could be introduced that requires any team in the Championship or above to have fully approved pitch drainage facilities within a certain time period of entering from League 1, let’s say 12 months for the sake of argument. After these 12 months, if inadequate facilities are still in place, a small fine should be handed for each match played at the stadium, regardless of weather. This would force clubs into thinking about long-term and investing in a valuable asset, rather than spending carelessly on other parts of the club, such as wages.
I would also say the same for Premier League clubs, but with under-soil heating. The millions of pounds that are spent each year by the top-tier clubs suggests that a one-off, yet long term, stadium improvement wouldn’t even be too much of a financial struggle. Within a 12 month period, every club should have installed it as a way of beating the winter months and the frosty weather.
If a club insisted on avoiding any planning of this drainage system or under-soil heating (dependant of their league) for 24 months, they could then be demoted or have a points deduction as a way of showing that it is no longer tolerated as an optional facility. Many clubs already have the appropriate facilities, should the rule be introduced tomorrow, but it would be more of a guideline for prospective clubs that wish to enter these leagues.
As for the matches themselves, if they are called off due to facilities not being completed yet, then the match should be resumed at a later date and from the exact time, score and circumstances of the unfinished match. Any red cards accrued in the unfinished fixture would be held off until the game is finally finished and then suspensions applied. If they are called off due to facilities not even being planned, then a fine or points deduction should be handed to the home team. It would really hammer home the point if survival or promotion in a league were to be jeopardized by such a simple thing.
One struggle that the FA may find for this idea would be forcing this on clubs that pay rent on stadiums and do not own them out-right. It could cause some clubs to be stuck at a glass-ceiling in League 1. However, even if it means dropping a league or two because of reduced revenue, I would like to think that it would push clubs to find stadiums of their own and force the idea of self-sustaining business models. The clubs may languish in the depths of lower leagues for a few years, but it could make them a stronger club when they ultimately do rise back up.
Eventually, ideas for League 1 and 2 could be introduced to stop games being called off there, but this is some way off due to financial constraints. If this idea as a whole could pull England out of the dark ages and help keep the football schedule running smoothly, it can be seen as a success. Winter games should be seen as a novelty from the stands, not dreaded as a match-day killer.
We can’t control the weather, but we can be prepared for it regardless of conditions.
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