Swansea vs Bournemouth CALLED OFF after stadium battered by brutal Storm Eunice days after Cherries vs Forest postponed
BOURNEMOUTH have had a second consecutive match postponed due to Storm Eunice with Swansea’s stadium battered by strong winds.
The two Championship teams were set to face each other at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday evening, but the match has been called off for safety reasons.
Scott Parker’s Cherries side had their clash against Nottingham Forest last Friday scrapped just hours before kick-off.
The Vitality Stadium was declared unsafe after their ground suffered structural damage as a result of Storm Eunice.
In a statement released by the Swans, the Welsh outfit said: “Swansea City can confirm that Tuesday’s Championship fixture against AFC Bournemouth has been postponed for safety reasons, following damage to the Swansea.com Stadium caused by Storm Eunice and the ongoing adverse weather conditions.
“The decision was taken this morning following an inspection by the Licensing Authority and club management, and was reached after it was concluded that given the current weather conditions it would be impossible to undertake a full assessment of the damage and undertake the necessary repairs in advance of tomorrow’s fixture.
“Club staff have been in communication with AFC Bournemouth and the EFL over the weekend since the damage became visible during the course of the bad weather.
“The decision was concluded that the game should be postponed due to risks arising from the damage and in time to avoid visiting players, staff and supporters travelling to South Wales.”
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Commenting on the postponed fixture, Bournemouth Chief Executive Neill Blake stated the right decision has been made.
He remarked: “While it is disappointing that another one of our fixtures has had to be postponed following the effects of Storm Eunice, we completely understand Swansea’s decision and I would like to thank them for prioritising the safety of players, supporters and staff.
“Like us, Swansea have suffered too much damage to their stadium to make it safe for supporters in a short space of time – five days, as opposed to the 24 hours it has been suggested we could have made our stadium safe within.
“Swansea have come to a sensible decision and we have given them our full support so as to allow an early announcement on the postponement.
“We look forward to visiting them for the re-arranged fixture.”
It wasn’t just Bournemouth and Forest that had matches called off over the weekend, with two League One games having to be cancelled.
Fleetwood against Lincoln and Morecambe’s trip to Shrewsbury were scrapped, along with the League Two ties between Exeter and Barrow and Salford and Crawley.
More to follow…
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