Valerien Ismael: Blackburn Rovers boss calls decision to replay abandoned Ipswich game 'a disgrace'

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael has called the decision to replay Rovers' abandoned game against Ipswich "disgraceful" and "bad publicity for English football".

Rovers were 1-0 up against the 10-man visitors when last Saturday's Championship fixture was called off in the 79th minute due to heavy rainfall at Ewood Park making the pitch unplayable.

The English Football League (EFL) board decided "by a majority" on Thursday that the match should be replayed in full.

"I've received lots of messages from abroad, where I've worked, from sporting directors and players and it is the same reaction - they are shocked," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It's a disgraceful decision, it's bad publicity for English football."

Ismael's comments echo those of his club, who said they were "extremely disappointed by the outcome" on Thursday.

"When you receive that many messages from people around the world and they are all shocked it means something is wrong," the Frenchman, 49, added.

"You quickly need new guidelines otherwise it will always be a political case."

As yet no new date has been scheduled for the rearranged fixture.

In their statement announcing the verdict, the EFL said: "The decision follows recent precedents relating to abandoned fixtures and is intended to uphold the integrity of the league competition which should, wherever possible, be based on a complete set of fixtures played to a conclusion on the day.

"The board recognised that this was an incredibly difficult decision and agreed to consult clubs on the best approach to the development of new guidance to be considered in the event of a match abandonment."

Victory over Ipswich would have been a third success in four matches for Blackburn, who are 18th in the table after five games.

Ismael is hopeful his side can be galvanised by the situation when they travel to Charlton on Saturday.

"The timing was not good - we're human beings and we feel the frustration because the fairness is not there," he said.

"You have a bad feeling but it doesn't change the performance we put on the pitch.

"I said to the players 'our performance was right, we are playing with good consistency' and we just need now to deal with adversity and that needs resilience, mental strength and togetherness.

"The good thing always in football is it [result] doesn't matter because you still have the chance the week after. We [will] focus on our game and use the frustration and strength for the game."

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