Blame game begins after Stade de France farce

The Stade de France was the centre of farcical scenes last night when Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations match against France was postponed just 10 minutes before kick-off.

Referee Dave Pearson made his decision after deeming sections of the pitch to be unplayable following days of sub-zero temperatures in Paris.

The surface passed an inspection at 3pm Irish time yesterday and 6.30pm last night, but Pearson felt the conditions then deteriorated sufficiently enough to postpone the game.

The decision was greeted with a chorus of boos when it was announced 20 minutes later to a full and disbelieving Stade de France.

Six Nations officials have confirmed the match will be staged during one of the tournament’s break weekends, either February 18 and 19 or March 3 and 4.

The finger-pointing started soon after, with the French Rugby Federation highlighting Pearson’s role while Six Nations stressed it was the official’s decision alone.

A shambolic situation was made worse when a Six Nations official refused to answer questions on what had occurred beyond reading a statement at a hastily-convened press conference.

“The match was cancelled following the advice of the referee Mr Pearson. He inspected it yesterday and all was fine,” read the statement.

“He inspected again today at 7pm and it was still fine but when he inspected it just a few minutes before kick-off, he found the pitch was frozen in a few areas.

“He ruled that it was dangerous and this is why it was postponed.

“It is very important to let fans know to keep their tickets and they will be valid for the game when we have a new date.

“The rule is the game will be played in a weekend when no games are planned, so either next weekend or in three weekends’ time.”

Pearson was absent from the press conference and FFR president Pierre Camou left little doubt over who he felt was responsible for the chaotic scenes.

“It’s very sad. I don’t understand why the referee has not shown up,” said Camou.

“I am worried that two hours before kick-off everything seemed fine. I’m thinking of all the fans who have come from afar.

“We always take responsibility for the pitches but we are not responsible for the decision to call it off.

“I’m not sure the argument of safety is suddenly a good one at 8pm.

“Today a Six Nations game in Italy was played in the snow and the referee was French.”

However, former Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan exonerated Pearson, claiming he was left with no alternative but to call the game off.

Instead, O’Sullivan felt the FFR were to blame for an episode that “beggars belief”.

“Obviously you can’t blame the referee, he made the decision based on what he thought was best for all concerned. He had to protect the players,” he said.

“To consider there were 80,000 people at the stadium and millions of people watching at home and at the final moment the game was postponed, it beggars belief.

“If Dave Pearson had put the players on that surface and a player had got badly hurt, he would have to take the blame for that. He did what was right.

“There were no curve balls here. We’ve known for the last few days where we were, yet we reached this stage at the last minute.

“Ultimately it’s down to the French Federation for managing this situation. Then it was left to referee to make the hard decision.

“It’s hard to believe that the French Federation couldn’t predict this outcome given the bad weather here hasn’t changed in the last 72 hours.”

Declan Kidney and Philippe Saint-Andre, the coaches of Ireland and France respectively, discussed the conditions on the pitch half an hour before kick-off.

“We would have preferred to have played,” said Saint-Andre.

TIMELINE: HOW PARIS FARCE UNFOLDED

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4:

France beat Italy 30-12 at Stade de France. The pitch, which does not have under-soil heating, is covered immediately after full-time.

MONDAY:

Temperature of -7C forecast for night of Ireland’s clash with France in Paris and could reach as low as -10C during the game.

TUESDAY:

France winger Vincent Clerc voices his alarm at the condition of the pitch against Italy and warns the situation could deteriorate. Clerc said: “If it’s -7C on Saturday, there is reason for concern over the frozen pitch. It was already frozen against Italy. The parts near the touchline were frozen.”

THURSDAY:

Traditional eve-of-match captain’s run cancelled due to frozen pitch. When asked if he was concerned by the conditions, Ireland coach Declan Kidney said: “We’ve not discussed the temperature. We’ll have to wait until we step off the plane and feel it. It’s one of those uncontrollables. We just have to work off the premise that it will be the same for them as it is for us.”

FRIDAY:

Ireland squad arrives in Paris. Kicking practice held in the afternoon at an indoor facility. Referee Dave Pearson conducts 4pm pitch inspection without removing the covers. Six Nations spokesperson states the pitch is being maintained at 3C beneath the covers and the match is not under threat. No further pitch inspection conducted that night, despite 9pm kick-off time the following day.

SATURDAY:

7pm: Covers removed from the pitch.

7.15pm: Pearson declares the pitch is playable.

8.15pm: Kidney and France coach Philippe Saint-Andre discuss the condition of the pitch with Pearson.

8.30pm: Pearson re-examines the pitch.

8.50pm: Pearson postpones the game.

9pm: Temperature at kick-off time recorded at -6C with a wind chill of -11C.

9.05pm: Stade de France is informed of Pearson’s decision, prompting jeers from the crowd. Band remain present on the pitch while some French players enter the stands to speak with family members.

9.15pm: Disgruntled fans begin leaving the stadium.

10pm: Temperature at Stade de France plummets to -8C at what would have been half-time.

10.15pm: Six Nations official refuses to take questions on decision to postpone the match. Pearson absent from press conference. Six Nations confirm the match will be staged during one of the tournament’s break weekends, either February 18 and 19 or March 3 and 4.