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 areas surrounding the pitch unsafe due to freezing conditions, despite the playing surface itself being passed fit.
In a strongly worded statement, Watford said: 'We reiterate we were ready and willing to play after the pitch was passed fit by the referee. We remain disappointed by the decision to postpone and by how the decision was reached. We did not agree to the postponement.' The club earlier expressed frustration on social media, acknowledging the disappointment of supporters.
Hull City, however, claimed the decision was 'agreed by all parties'. Their statement read: '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.' They apologised for the timing and inconvenience caused.
The match at the MKM Stadium was one of three Championship fixtures postponed due to frozen conditions, alongside Sheffield United vs Oxford United and Portsmouth vs Ipswich Town. In League One, five matches were called off, while ten League Two games also fell victim to the weather.
