A severe cold snap gripping the UK has forced the postponement of numerous football fixtures across the English Football League (EFL) on Sunday. Widespread snow and icy conditions have rendered several pitches unplayable, disrupting the schedule for clubs and fans alike.
Which Football Matches Have Been Called Off?
The disruption has primarily hit the Championship, League One, and League Two. Sheffield United's home game against Oxford United in the Championship was called off after a pitch inspection at Bramall Lane, with the referee citing player safety concerns due to frozen patches on the surface.
In another Championship clash, Portsmouth versus Ipswich Town at Fratton Park was postponed following an 11am inspection. The decision was made as temperatures failed to rise sufficiently, leaving the ground in an unplayable state.
The cold weather has also taken a heavy toll on League One. Doncaster Rovers vs Luton Town was called off early on Sunday morning due to a frozen pitch and dangerous icy conditions around the stadium. Similarly, Rotherham United's fixture with Mansfield Town was postponed after officials deemed the surface too hazardous.
Widespread League Two Postponements
The list of postponements extends significantly into League Two. The following matches have all been called off:
- Barnet vs Crewe Alexandra
- Barrow vs Bristol Rovers
- Bromley vs Oldham Athletic
- Colchester United vs Accrington Stanley
- Harrogate Town vs Swindon Town
- Newport County vs Tranmere Rovers
- Notts County vs Gillingham
- Salford City vs Shrewsbury Town
- Walsall vs Fleetwood Town
This sweeping series of cancellations highlights the extent of the wintry conditions affecting stadiums across the country.
When Will The Games Be Rearranged & Premier League Status
As of now, there is no official confirmation on new dates for any of the postponed matches. However, clubs and league officials will be looking at the calendar, with numerous free midweek slots available in January, February, March, and April for fixture rearrangements.
In contrast to the EFL chaos, all six scheduled Premier League matches have, so far, avoided the freeze. The top-flight games set to go ahead as planned on Sunday are: Leeds United vs Manchester United, Everton vs Brentford, Fulham vs Liverpool, Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur vs Sunderland, and Manchester City vs Chelsea.
Fans of affected clubs are advised to monitor their team's official channels for updates on new fixture dates once the icy conditions subside and safety can be assured.
