Emma Hayes, the manager of Chelsea, stated, “We must take the game seriously” after their Women’s Super League home match against Liverpool was called off after six minutes owing to a frozen field.
Hayes stated that the midday matches at Kingsmeadow “should never have begun” and advocated for WSL facilities to be equipped with subsoil heating.
The surface was heated in an attempt to make it playable, but shortly after kickoff, the referee, Paul Howard, met with Hayes and Liverpool manager Matt Beard and took both sides off the field.
After addressing the supporters, a visibly agitated Hayes said, “You could tell from the first few minutes that the sides were like an ice rink.
“It is not up to the managers to decide if the game will be played. It is up to the FA and officials. “Investment has been made in surfaces; the next step will be undersoil heating everywhere. However, we do not reside in Barbados.”
“We must take this game seriously. Yes, we can bring our blowers and small tents, but it will not be enough.
“The game should have never begun. Everyone wished for the game to begin. But whether teams are emotionally invested in playing or not, a decision from on high is required. The FA were not present; they must make the decision.”
Beard shared Hayes’s annoyance. The Liverpool manager stated, “I don’t know why you had to play six or seven minutes to realize the ice was frozen.” “It was frozen this morning and during the thaw. I feel terrible for our fans who woke up at five this morning to be here. We started the game well, didn’t we? That’s unfortunate.”
