Chelsea’s WSL clash with Liverpool is postponed after just SIX MINUTES due to a frozen pitch

Chelsea’s Women’s Super League clash with Liverpool was sensationally abandoned after just six minutes of play in farcical scenes that brought embarrassment to the women’s game on Sunday.

Referee Neil Hair stopped the match at Kingsmeadow due to concerns from both captains after seven instances of players falling over in the frosty conditions.

Chelsea had put covers and heaters on their pitch before kick-off, with leaf-blowers removing ice from the turf. A pitch inspection had taken place at 9.30am, with both managers claiming the official had told them the conditions were not playable before changing his decision an hour later. 

Chelsea versus Liverpool in the Women’s Super League was postponed after just six minutes

The removal of the covers had also delayed the warm-ups for both teams and the entry of fans to the stadium, but the officials opted not to put back the kick-off time.

‘You could see from the opening minutes that it was like an ice rink down the sides,’ said Chelsea boss Emma Hayes.

‘The game should never have started. Everyone wanted to get the game on but when you have got emotions of teams wanting or not wanting to play, that’s when you need a decision from above. The FA weren’t here – they need to be making the decision.’

Liverpool managing director Russ Fraser had written to the FA before kick-off while captain Niamh Fahey and manager Matt Beard had also voiced concerns over the safety of the pitch.

The conditions of the pitch were deemed unsafe despite a pitch inspection earlier in the day

Sportsmail understands there was pressure to get Sunday’s game on due to it being shown live on BBC Two, but the broadcaster said the decision had nothing to do with them.

‘It wasn’t playable at 9.30,’ Liverpool manager Matt Beard said. ‘He [the referee] said it was safe before he checked it. It should have been called off this morning.

‘It’s frustrating. I did say to the referee that we had to move our warm-up because it wasn’t safe.

‘Someone could have got hurt today, especially with the history of ACL’s [injuries] this year.’

Chelsea’s game was one of three to be postponed in the WSL. Tottenham v Leicester was called off on Saturday night while Brighton’s game with Arsenal was postponed two and a half hours before kick-off.

Ground staff were seen trying to warm the pitch at Kingsmeadow as players warmed up

Hayes and top flight stars including Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead insisted that undersoil heating should be made mandatory in the WSL.

Currently four clubs have the facility – both Manchester sides, and Reading and Leicester – who both play at their men’s stadiums. Aston Villa also play a large number of fixtures at Villa Park.

‘It’s not for managers to decide if it’s on – it’s up to the FA and officials,’ Hayes said. ‘We have to say to ourselves that it’s time for undersoil heating. We’ve got to take our game seriously. Yes, we can have our blowers and pitch tents but it’s not enough.

‘No game at the top level of the women’s game should be cancelled. We need undersoil heating – we don’t live in Barbados.’

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes spoke to supporters after the game was called off on Sunday

Chelsea’s Erin Cuthbert grazed her leg on the frozen pitch while putting in a tackle earlier on in the game

Hayes should perhaps direct her grievances towards Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, who has spent over £150 million on transfers for Graham Potter’s side this month.

There is no doubt that Chelsea and other top clubs could easily afford to install undersoil heating for their women’s teams if they wish.

The manner of the abandonment at Kingsmeadow is undoubtedly an embarrassment for the WSL and questions have to be asked as to why the game was allowed to go ahead to begin with.

Player safety was not prioritised. There could have been a serious injury in the six minutes of play that occurred before the game was abandoned.

Referee Neil Hair (centre) deemed the pitch playable before quickly calling off the WSL clash

A WSL spokesperson said: ‘We worked hard with the clubs and the match officials to safely play the Barclay’s Women’s Super League fixture between Chelsea and Liverpool as scheduled. 

‘Following inspections before the match, the pitch was deemed to be playable by the matchday referee. 

‘However, shortly after kick off, the referee made the decision to abandon the match in order to protect the safety of the players, which is paramount. We sincerely apologise to all fans who travelled to the match. The fixture will be rescheduled in due course.’

Liverpool boss Matt Beard slammed the decision, saying the game ‘should never have started’