Liverpool match called off amid player safety fears

REFEREE Mark Clattenberg called off Burnley’s FA Cup third round tie against Liverpool last 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. 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.

“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.”

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