The English Football League (EFL) has ruled that the Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town, abandoned on Saturday, September 20, 2025, will be replayed in full. The game, held at Ewood Park, was called off in the 80th minute due to a waterlogged pitch following heavy rain. At the time of the abandonment, Blackburn were leading 1-0, courtesy of a second-half penalty from captain Todd Cantwell, and Ipswich were down to 10 men after Jacob Greaves was shown a red card. Referee Steve Martin initially suspended the match before abandoning it altogether due to the dangerous state of the playing surface.
The decision to replay the match has sparked considerable debate, with Blackburn Rovers expressing their disappointment. The club has indicated that they are considering all options, including a possible appeal. Blackburn stated they are "extremely disappointed by the outcome" and that the decision "fails to take into account the significant advantages Rovers held at the time of abandonment".
The EFL, however, has defended its decision, stating that it follows recent precedents and is intended to uphold the integrity of the league competition. The league emphasized that, wherever possible, matches should be played to a conclusion on the day. In a statement, the EFL said that the Board comprehensively considered all options available before deciding that a full replay was the fairest solution. The three Championship Directors abstained from the vote. The EFL also acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and agreed to consult with clubs to develop new guidance for handling future match abandonments.
Ipswich Town defender Jacob Greaves, who was dismissed in the abandoned match for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity, will still have to serve his one-match ban. This means he will be unavailable for Ipswich's upcoming Championship home clash with Portsmouth.
A new date for the replayed fixture between Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town will be announced by the clubs in due course. The replayed match will start with a clean slate, meaning the 1-0 scoreline and Greaves's red card will not carry over. Both teams will have a fresh opportunity to compete for the three points.
