Rovers chairman questions decision to abandon Blues clash (From Bucks Free Press)

Rovers chairman questions decision to abandon Blues clash

12:24pm Tuesday 28th August 2012 in Sport

Rovers chairman questions decision to abandon Blues clash

BRISTOL Rovers chairman Nick Higgs has hit out at the decision to abandon Saturday’s match with Wycombe Wanderers - calling the ruling “strange”.

The Pirates were 3-1 up at Adams Park when the game was called off due to health and safety concerns after the stand housing the visiting fans was struck by lightning during a torrential second-half downpour.

Wanderers said in a post-match statement that the stand's proximity to electricity pylons, along with flooding in the area, were key safety factors in calling off the match.

Rovers manager Mark McGhee felt the correct decision was made but his chairman has his doubts and fears the Pirates will be powerless to prevent the fixture from being replayed.

He said: "It is rather strange the game was abandoned for health and safety reasons because of fears that fans or players could be struck by lightning, yet supporters were kept in the stand for almost 30 minutes after the game was stopped.

"We are to sit down and discuss the issue, but the likelihood is we won't be able to change the result and that we won't be taking any further action at this stage, even though the whole thing doesn't sit very comfortably with me at all."

A date for the rearranged fixture will be announced in due course.