Will the ball even be rolling on any sports field this weekend? The heavy rain is not stopping the lower house of football either – most of the matches will probably be cancelled.
“It would be a miracle if our home game against Perg took place,” says Bad Ischl‘s sports director Johann Roitmayer before the duel scheduled for 4 p.m. tomorrow. The pitch of the Upper Austrian league team from the imperial city was already under water today, Friday. “Around 100 liters per square meter were forecast for Thursday and Friday. Another 100 liters are expected tomorrow. You have to imagine it as if you were emptying two large beer barrels on one square meter. If that’s the case over the whole pitch, football is out of the question,” explains Roitmayer. Many other clubs are in a similar situation. The answers to the most important questions:
How is a match in the lower house of football cancelled?
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In principle, a lower house match – similar to the Bundesliga – can only be cancelled on the day of the match by the assigned referee or one of his assistants. In very clear cases, contact can also be made the day before. However, this depends on the referee in question. The process is as follows: The referee in question inspects the pitch during commissioning and then decides whether the match can take place.
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A procedure that the current weather situation will not change. The Upper Austrian Football Association will not issue any special regulations – which have already been implemented in the past due to heavy snowfall, for example. Back then, it was enough for the clubs to decide for themselves whether games could be played on their pitches – without a referee having to travel to assess the situation. In the case of such general cancellations, there would have to be an official disaster warning.
The association simply recommends that you contact the referee in advance if it is already clear that the game cannot be played. In particularly clear cases, it is also possible that a change of referee can be made at short notice after consultation with the association. A referee from the home club’s area can then cancel the game, saving you a long journey.
Is there a way to cancel a game without a referee?
Only the referee can cancel the match, but there is the possibility of rescheduling the match. If both clubs agree in advance to play the match on a different date, there is no need for a referee to travel specifically to cancel the match. However, the association normally imposes a penalty if clubs postpone their matches at such short notice. “In this case, however, we will turn a blind eye,” explains Roland Mayrhofer, who is responsible for match operations at the OÖFV.
In the Regionalliga, some clubs have made use of this opportunity: today’s matches between Vorwärts Steyr against Gleisdorf, LASK Amateure against Junge Wikinger and tomorrow’s match between Oedt and Weiz were postponed because both clubs concerned agreed to it.
When will the games be rescheduled?
In the Regionalliga and the OÖ-Liga, if a game is cancelled, it would have to be rescheduled for the following Tuesday – unless an alternative date is agreed with the opponent. For lower house clubs from the Landesliga onwards, the additional dates would be November 17th and 24th.
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Will the Ball Roll This Weekend? Heavy Rain and Snow Put Sports Matches in Doubt
As the heavy rain and snowfall continue to batter the region, many sports enthusiasts are left wondering if any matches will take place this weekend. The lower house of football, in particular, is likely to be severely affected, with many matches already canceled or postponed due to the inclement weather.
How are Matches Canceled?
So, how do authorities decide whether a match should be canceled or not? In the lower house of football, a match can only be canceled on the day of the match by the assigned referee or one of his assistants. In very clear cases, contact can also be made the day before, but this depends on the referee in question. The process is straightforward: the referee inspects the pitch during commissioning and then decides whether the match can take place [[3]].
Postponed and Canceled Matches
The situation is not unique to one region or league. Across the globe, sports matches are being postponed or canceled due to adverse weather conditions. For instance, in Scotland, eleven SPFL games, including Livingston v Ross County in the Premiership, have been postponed due to snow and freezing temperatures [[2]]. Similarly, in New Zealand, cancellations are a common occurrence, and the authorities have a well-defined process in place to handle such situations [[3]].
The Impact of Weather on Sports
Inclement weather can have a significant impact on sports, particularly outdoor ones like football. Pitches can become waterlogged, making it difficult or impossible to play. Moreover, safety concerns are also a significant factor, as players and officials need to be protected from harsh weather conditions.
What Can We Expect This Weekend?
As the rain and snow continue to fall, it’s likely that many more matches will be canceled or postponed. Sports enthusiasts will have to wait and see if any matches will take place this weekend. One thing is certain, though – the weather will have the final say.
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