A crucial Championship fixture between Hull City and Watford was dramatically called off just 18 minutes before the scheduled kick-off on Sunday, plunging the matchday into controversy. The decision, made by referee Anthony Backhouse, was due to safety concerns over icy conditions in areas surrounding the pitch at the MKM Stadium.
Late Call-Off Sparks Club Dispute
The postponement was not met with agreement from both clubs. Watford issued a strong statement contradicting Hull's version of events, insisting they were prepared to play and did not consent to the game being postponed. "We reiterate we were ready and willing to play after the pitch was passed fit by the referee," the club stated. "We remain disappointed by the decision to postpone, and by how the decision was reached. We did not agree to the postponement."
This directly countered Hull City's assertion that the call was "agreed by all parties." The Tigers' statement acknowledged the pitch itself was playable but cited unsafe conditions around it, apologising for the late timing that left fans frustrated.
Widespread EFL Disruption Due to Freezing Weather
The aborted match in Hull was part of a significant wave of postponements across the English Football League caused by a severe cold snap. In total, three Championship games were lost, alongside a further 14 across Leagues One and Two.
Other affected Championship fixtures included Sheffield United's meeting with Oxford and Portsmouth's top-of-the-table clash with Ipswich. In League One, matches at Doncaster, Port Vale, Rotherham, and Stevenage were postponed. The disruption extended deeply into League Two, with games called off at ten grounds including Barnet, Barrow, Cambridge, and Notts County.
Focus Turns to Rearranged Fixtures
The immediate consequence for Hull and Watford is the logistical challenge of finding a new date for the fixture in an already congested Championship calendar. For the travelling Watford supporters, the late decision represented a particular waste of time and expense.
The incident highlights the difficult balance match officials must strike between player and spectator safety and the desire to complete fixtures. With Watford firmly stating their readiness to play, the debate over whether the correct threshold for postponement was met is likely to continue behind the scenes.
