Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League fixture against Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday was called off approximately 45 minutes before kick-off following a pitch inspection by referee Peter Bankes. Heavy snowfall in the area left the surface unplayable despite ground staff efforts to clear it, with the undersoil heating struggling to cope with the volume of snow.
Both managers expressed disappointment but acknowledged the decision. Burnley boss Sean Dyche noted the snow fell quickly and heavily, re-covering the pitch each time it was cleared. He stressed the importance of making an early decision, while Spurs manager Antonio Conte described the postponement as a 'big disappointment' but accepted the Premier League's ruling as correct, citing the serious risk of injury to players.
Referee Bankes explained that safety and the quality of the spectacle were paramount. He said that within ten minutes of clearing, snow had returned, and the game would have required stoppages every 15 minutes. He also mentioned the unfortunate situation for supporters arriving at the stadium, but both managers were in agreement that the match could not proceed.
Conte, who had named a side with eight changes from Thursday's defeat to NS Mura, indicated that Spurs would use the extra time to train and prepare for upcoming matches against Brentford and Norwich. The fixture will now be rearranged.
