Bad weather causes fixture chaos in top European football leagues

Monday, 10 February 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Storm Sabine has resulted in a Bundesliga match being called off – Getty Images

Several top flight football fixtures across Europe have been postponed due to extreme weather conditions.

Manchester City’s Premier League clash against West Ham at the Etihad on Sunday has been postponed due to Storm Ciara, reported ESPN.

City, who are 22 points behind leaders Liverpool, would have had the opportunity to open a five point gap on third-place Leicester with a win, while victory have seen 18th-place West Ham move out of the relegation zone.

“Due to extreme and escalating weather conditions and in the interests of supporter and staff safety, today’s match has been postponed,” Manchester City said in a statement.

“This decision has been made by Manchester City’s Safety Officer following consultation with Club stakeholders and officials at West Ham United.

“Further information regarding the rescheduling of today’s match will be published in due course.”

The decision follows the cancellation of several Women’s Super League games in the country.

Severe winds and heavy rain have caused disruption across the United Kingdom with more than 200 flood warnings issued and winds expected to hit up to 90mph.

Meanwhile in Germany, the Bundesliga game between Borussia Monchengladbach and visitors Cologne was called off yesterday due to a weather warning for the region, the German Football League (DFL) said.

“Due to the bad weather warning of the German weather service and the resulting security concerns the game between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Cologne for the Bundesliga today Sunday will not take place,” the DFL said in a statement.

Storm ‘Sabine’ was due to hit the region in the western part of the country later on Sunday, Reuters reported. According to the Associated Press, in the coming days the DFL will reschedule a new date for the game.

Gladbach are in fourth place on 39 points, three behind leaders Bayern Munich. Elsewhere, the Dutch football association called off all of Sunday’s matches in the top-flight because of strong winds forecast to buffet the country.

The Royal Netherlands Football Association said in a statement on Saturday that, after discussions with clubs, police, and municipalities, it “concluded that because of the expected weather conditions the safety of supporters and players cannot be guaranteed.”

The top three clubs - Ajax, AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord - all were scheduled to play in the four matches scheduled yesterday. No new dates were immediately set.