[lfc-news] Cup tie washed out - PA

PA Sport, 7 Jan 2005
BURNLEY CUP CLASH WASHED OUT

Referee Mark Clattenberg called off Burnley's FA Cup third round tie
against Liverpool on Friday night because he was concerned for the
safety of the players.

The third-round game at Turf Moor was postponed 45 minutes before
kick-off following torrential rain.

Burnley had taken the covers off and then used the water rollers to try
to clear the playing area but a five-yard strip on the touchline proved
too difficult to sort out.

Clattenburg said: "Burnley have done very well to get the pitch in this
state. When they removed the covers, the pitch was 98% playable.

"They used the water machines but they reached saturation point and a
five-yard area on the touchline was waterlogged.

"They put a lot of sand on it which became like quicksand. It would have
been very difficult for the players to run or turn on.

"I felt that if they turned on that surface there was a danger of injury.

"I was looking at the safety aspect of the players, plus the fact that
more rain was forecast."

Explaining the late decision, Clattenburg said: "I didn't want to be
hasty. I wanted to give them as much time as I could.

"If I started, I wanted to make sure the pitch was fit to finish.

"I was very positive when the water machines were on but then they got
to saturation point and the situation changed."

Burnley manager Steve Cotterill backed the referee's decision, as he was
mindful of the players' welfare.

He said: "At the end of the day, the referee has made a decision and
he's made it in the best interests of all of the players and their safety.

"You can't argue with that. It's a major disappointment and a major blow
to us."

"We've been looking forward to this game for such a long time. It's a
great night for us and it's a great night that we've missed out on,
playing against a great club in front of the cameras."

Cotterill admitted he had not been on the pitch to look at the problem
area, although he had spoken to Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez about a
way around the problem.

He said: "I've just had a drink with Rafa and we said we should have
played nine v nine, just narrowed the pitch a bit.

"We had a bit of a giggle and we (Burnley) would have been alright nine
v nine. If the pitch was a little bit bigger we might have a problem.

"I've got a new pair of shoes on so I didn't go out to take a look. I
wasn't going to get any mud on them.

"But we're in the fourth round anyway so we're delighted with that."

Friday's cup tie was the second match Burnley match postponed within a
week after their New Year's Day home fixture was abandoned after 19
minutes because of heavy rain.

The cup tie has been rearranged for Tuesday, January 18.


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