Soccer game abandoned just minutes before end as players taken off field

Blackburn's game with Ipswich was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch in the 80th minute on Saturday, following torrential rain at Ewood Park.

The home side was ahead 1-0 when the Championship referee brought all players off the field. Blackburn's official X account confirmed: "The ref has called the game to a stop and brought all the players off the pitch due to the wet pitch." Ipswich's account reported: "Still chucking it down and the players are still inside. Understandably, a lot of home fans have made the decision to leave. No word yet."

Blackburn had taken the lead on the hour mark through a Todd Cantwell penalty and also enjoyed a man advantage after Jacob Greaves was dismissed for the visitors in the 49th minute.

The match was suspended for over 25 minutes while supporters from both clubs awaited a decision on whether proceedings would resume. It was eventually confirmed that the fixture had been called off entirely.

"Due to a waterlogged pitch, the referee has called off the contest," Blackburn announced in a subsequent X post.

"A decision on whether the fixture will be replayed in full will be made by the EFL Board in due course," the Championship side added.

Ipswich's squad returned to the field to acknowledge the travelling supporters who had made the journey up from Suffolk.

Both Ipswich and Blackburn conclude the weekend positioned alongside each other in the Championship standings in 17th and 18th place respectively.

Elsewhere in the Championship, QPR defeated Stoke 1-0 at home. "That's the worst we've played this season," said Stoke manager Mark Robins. "We have to maintain a level and maintain our non-negotiables, and we just didn't.

"We got exactly what we deserved, so it's back to the drawing board. Optimism is fantastic, but unless you do things right all the time, and not just when you fancy it, you are going to come unstuck.

"Feet on the ground, which isn't a bad thing, but we have got to get back on it. That's two 12:30 kick-offs now where we've lost 1-0 and not played to our potential.

"It can't become a thing because there will be a few of them."

Birmingham defeated Swansea 1-0, while Leicester's game with Coventry finished goalless. Preston won 1-0 at Derby, and Charlton did the same at pointless Sheffield United.

Sheffield Wednesday won 2-0 at Portsmouth, Hull defeated Southampton 3-1 at home, and Wrexham won 3-2 at Norwich.

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