Match abandoned: Chelsea’s WSL game against Liverpool was called off after six minutes at Kingsmeadow
(Picture: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Arsenal star Beth Mead says the women’s game “still has a long way to go”, after Sunday’s WSL match between Chelsea and Liverpool was postponed after six minutes due to a frozen pitch.
Referee Neil Hair is said to have deemed the surface unplayable during an earlier pitch inspection at Kingsmeadow. The idea of delaying the kick-off was explored but it was agreed the match would be played at its original 12.30pm kick-off time, given it was live on BBC2.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes called for the women’s game to be taken more “seriously”, while former England boss Hope Powell said the situation was “embarrassing”.
Arsenal’s game at Brighton was also called off yesterday, along with Tottenham’s clash with Leicester.
😂😂 on a serious note, one of the top leagues in Europe and we are cancelling games cause of frozen pitches. Not good enough, the women’s game is heading in the right direction but still a long way to go. https://t.co/I7Da1PqMl7
— Beth Mead (@bmeado9) January 22, 2023
Mead tweeted: “One of the top leagues in Europe and we are cancelling games because of frozen pitches. Not good enough, the women’s game is heading in the right direction but still a long way to go.”
Her Arsenal team-mate Vivianne Miedema said: “FA and clubs, please do better.”
