Watford have criticised the decision to call off their Championship match at Hull City just 18 minutes before kick-off on Sunday, insisting they did not agree to the postponement. The referee, Anthony Backhouse, deemed the game unsafe due to concerns over areas surrounding the pitch, despite the playing surface itself being passed fit.
Both clubs issued statements after the match was called off while players were warming up at the MKM Stadium. Hull said the postponement was “agreed by all parties”, but Watford promptly denied this, stating they were ready and willing to play. “We reiterate we were ready and willing to play after the pitch was passed fit by the referee,” Watford said. “We remain disappointed by the decision to postpone and by how the decision was reached. We did not agree to the postponement.”
Hull’s statement acknowledged the frustration of supporters over the timing. “While the pitch was playable and had been passed by the referee, areas immediately surrounding the playing surface were deemed unsafe and the decision to postpone the game was agreed by all parties,” the club said, adding that every effort was made to fulfil the fixture.
The game was one of three Championship matches postponed due to frozen conditions on Sunday. Sheffield United’s clash with Oxford United and Portsmouth’s match against Ipswich Town were also called off after pitch inspections. In League One, five more fixtures were postponed, and in League Two, ten matches were cancelled.
