Following Friday night’s npower Championship fixture against Middlesbrough, Leicester City Football Club have issued the following statement with regard to the game’s fulfilment:
“The Club is very mindful that, due to the weather-related conditions on Friday night, a large number of fans were unable to attend the game, as they had planned. The Club understands the disappointment of these fans and would like to take the opportunity to clarify the procedures and regulations surrounding the fulfilment of games, so that all of our loyal supporters have a complete and accurate understanding of the obligations of all clubs when hosting a home fixture, and the circumstances of last Friday in particular.
"In anticipation of adverse weather in the build-up to Friday night’s game, the Club took every possible precaution to ensure that the fixture went ahead, while liaising regularly with the Football League, the match officials, the relevant local authorities, Middlesbrough Football Club and supporters.
“Such advance planning – including the provision of additional personnel, resources and equipment throughout the day, coupled with the outstanding efforts of the Club's grounds, stadium and safety staff, ensured that King Power Stadium was fully operational, despite the onset of heavy snow during Friday afternoon, in the hours prior to kick-off.
“It is the Club’s responsibility to ensure that King Power Stadium is in an appropriate condition for its home fixtures to be fulfilled. As a consequence of the successful preparation, the match officials decided that the game should go ahead, albeit with a delay to the kick-off time to allow for Middlesbrough’s disrupted journey to the stadium.
“While we appreciate that, very regrettably, the adverse weather made it difficult for a significant number of supporters to attend the game, only the match officials, the city’s Safety Advisory Group or the police can initiate a postponement. Once both playing squads, the match officials and essential stadium staff had arrived and the requisite conditions had been deemed fit for play, there were no grounds on which the match officials or relevant agencies would take such action.
“The Club would like to express its sincere appreciation to the supporters that did make it to the game and contributed to an important result for the team, which subsequently saw us finish the weekend in the npower Championship’s automatic promotion places. The Club will put all its efforts behind the first team in its bid for promotion this season, and the players and all staff of the Club will endeavour at all times to provide winning football home and away, and a great matchday experience at King Power Stadium."
A spokesman for the Football League added: “It is hugely unfortunate that so many ticket holders missed the game. However, these were exceptional and challenging circumstances that were outside of Leicester City's control.
"The Football League is satisfied - given that the referee had determined that the playing surface was playable, that both sides were ready to start the game and that a significant number of people were in the stadium - that it was correct to play the match."
