Manager Neil Warnock and Cardiff City fans have expressed their fury after today’s Championship fixture at Derby County has been postponed.
Warnock and Vince Alm, long-term Bluebirds fan and spokesman for Cardiff City Supporters Club, both described the decision to call the fixture off ‘a disgrace’.
The Rams were due to host the Bluebirds at Pride Park in front of Sky Sports cameras today with a noon kick-off, but a decision to postpone the fixture was made shortly after 8am.
“I’m very disappointed, but not overly surprised after I heard Gary Rowett’s remarks earlier in the week about their injury crisis,” Warnock told Sky Sports News.
“It’s a disgrace quite frankly. You look at (Derby’s) game two weeks ago against Fulham. A lot of Derby fans are saying that was 10 times worse.
“I can’t accept that today and it leaves a sour taste. I think it’s scandalous, me.
“Now the EFL will try and force us to play on the first available date which gives us three tough away games.
“We are going to have to fight tooth and nail against that as we shouldn’t be punished for something like this because it isn’t our doing and I believe it’s a big travesty.”
Alm, who first watched City at the age of six during the Jimmy Scoular era, is writing to the Football League, Derby County Council, Derbyshire Police and Derby County FC to make his protect.
More than 2,600 Bluebirds fans were already well on their way to the English midlands when the game was called off and Alm said: “There should be a full investigation by the EFL regarding the postponement of the fixture with Derby.
“Derby have an injury crisis at the club. We have supporters at the ground taking pictures of the ground and surrounding areas which look okay.
“There was no effort by DCFC to put the game on or the local council despite no snow since 4am!
“More than 2,600 supporters battled their way out of South Wales to get there and conditions were improving the further North we went.
“A precedent was set when Middlesbrough called a game off against Blackburn a few years ago after have a long injury list and were docked points!
“Cardiff City have had a long injury list all season, but battled on. Its a disgrace!”
The fixture was called off this morning. Police and Derby County officials cited safety concerns after a heavy snowfall on Saturday as the reason for their decision.
It was reported this week that Rams’ manager Rowett had only 10 players able to train and City fans have said on social media that they believe no effort was made to ensure the game was played.
A statement on Derby’s website said: “Following persistent heavy snowfall in Derby overnight, the surrounding areas at Pride Park Stadium have been left in an unsafe condition for supporters, staff and officials.”
The next fixture for City is against Burton Albion at home on Friday, March 30, immediately after the international break.
