Sheffield United denied chance to continue positive momentum as Oxford United postponement raises question marks
Sheffield United denied chance to continue positive momentum as Oxford United postponement raises question marks
Sheffield United have been denied the chance to continue their recent momentum after their Championship game against Oxford United was postponed at the 11th hour this afternoon. The game was scheduled to kick off at 12noon.
But confirmation that it was called off arrived at just past 10am, less than two hours before kick-off after a pitch inspection revealed that parts of the Bramall Lane playing surface were still frozen.
The referee took the decision to postpone the fixture, with the Blades denied the chance to secure a third straight victory and continue their upward momentum in the Championship table.
The late call will raise inevitable question marks about why the decision was taken so late, with many Blades fans already at Bramall Lane and Oxford’s supporters having faced a lengthy journey after an early set-off from home this morning.
The game will now have to be rearranged for a free date in the calendar for both sides, most likely a midweek - potentially causing more fixture congestion for the Blades later in the season.
A statement from the Blades confirming the decision read: “The referee was called to Bramall Lane this morning with parts of the playing surface frozen.
“And following an inspection he has taken the decision to call off the fixture due to concerns over player safety. An announcement regarding a rearranged date will be confirmed in due course.
The timing of the decision sparked predictable anger on social media, with Unitedite Satirical Monkey posting: “Who forgot to put 50 denk in the undersoil heating meter then?”
Blade John Brook added: “The blame is not with the referee but the amateurs who are running our football club. We are becoming a complete embarrassment.”
One Oxford fan posted on X: “At Rotherham services when we heard. Never want to hear anyone call us tinpot again. Up at 5.30 now heading back when most Sunday morning bed wetters aren't even up yet.”
X account @breatheblades posted simply: “Underground heating btw🤣🤣🤣pathetic!!” while fans of other clubs also chimed in, with Manchester United supporter Joe Wills posting: “Today, the game being postponed less than 3 hours before kickoff is a disgrace.
“Striking both clubs because it has resulted in loads of people having a wasted journey which could have been avoided if the game was postponed by 9am at the latest.”
A subsequent statement from United read: “Officials at Sheffield United are extremely disappointed the fixture could not go ahead.
“In the build up to the game, our pre-match procedures for forecasted low temperatures were followed, which included the use of our undersoil heating system.
“This morning a small section of the playing surface was raised as a cause for concern. With this area still part frozen, all attempts were made to address this section of the pitch for it to meet the standard required for the match to go ahead.
“The referee was then called in at the earliest possible opportunity to assess the playing surface. After he arranged an inspection, he deemed there to be a player safety concern, and opted to call off the fixture at 10am.”