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Redraine · 22-01-2008, 11:23

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=545 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width=510>Brentford supporters letter to the FL:-

BIAS complains to Football League over Stanley postponement
21st January 2008

We have today sent the below open letter to the Football League with regard to the late call-off of Saturday's game at Accrington Stanley.

Dear Sir/Madam

On behalf of all Brentford fans who travelled to Accrington for the aborted game on Saturday 19th January, Brentford's Independent Association of Supporters (BIAS) calls on the Football League to investigate the circumstances surrounding the late call off of the game, and specifically the inspection of the pitch that took place on the morning of the game where the pitch was passed as playable when later declared unplayable by the match officials.

We would like the Football League to respond to the following points:
Confirmation that it was a nominated Football League official that passed the pitch as playable at 10am on Saturday

Publication by the Football League of any report filed by that official following the 10am inspection

Publication by the Football League of any report filed by the match day official that resulted in the match being called off

Clarification of the Football Leagues policies and procedures regarding to pitch inspections and the criteria for the calling off of a match.

Clarification of any schemes run by the Football League to protect travelling fans from financial losses resulting from match cancellation.

As you can see from the attached photographs [see below], taken at approx 13.30 on Saturday, it was clear that the pitch was unplayable, and we have had confirmation that it had seen no deterioration from the initial inspection that morning. Accrington advised Brentford officials on Friday confirming that the pitch was playable and that the game would go ahead when with hindsight this was clearly not the case.

We call on the Football League to investigate the initial inspection, and the actions of both Accrington Stanley and the Football League officials that performed the inspection, and make public the findings of their investigation. We also request that the Football League review their processes surrounding pitch inspections to avoid a repeat of what happened on Saturday.

We would be grateful if you could respond as soon as possible with your findings and any comments by email and by letter to the above address.

Please note that this communication, and any response from yourselves, will be published on the BIAS web-site.

Yours Sincerely

Phil Marchant
Chair
Brentford Independent Association of Supporters

More info:

Pictures of the Accrington Stanley pitch (courtesy of Farnham Bee & the GPG)

BIAS letter to Accrington Stanley

Some good points in there.

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22-01-2008, 11:23	#85
Redraine Resting in Peace Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Clayton-le-Moors Posts: 3,271 Liked: 713 times Rep Power: 14169	Re: Match Off <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=545 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width=510>Brentford supporters letter to the FL:- BIAS complains to Football League over Stanley postponement 21st January 2008 We have today sent the below open letter to the Football League with regard to the late call-off of Saturday's game at Accrington Stanley. Dear Sir/Madam On behalf of all Brentford fans who travelled to Accrington for the aborted game on Saturday 19th January, Brentford's Independent Association of Supporters (BIAS) calls on the Football League to investigate the circumstances surrounding the late call off of the game, and specifically the inspection of the pitch that took place on the morning of the game where the pitch was passed as playable when later declared unplayable by the match officials. We would like the Football League to respond to the following points: Confirmation that it was a nominated Football League official that passed the pitch as playable at 10am on Saturday Publication by the Football League of any report filed by that official following the 10am inspection Publication by the Football League of any report filed by the match day official that resulted in the match being called off Clarification of the Football Leagues policies and procedures regarding to pitch inspections and the criteria for the calling off of a match. Clarification of any schemes run by the Football League to protect travelling fans from financial losses resulting from match cancellation. As you can see from the attached photographs [see below], taken at approx 13.30 on Saturday, it was clear that the pitch was unplayable, and we have had confirmation that it had seen no deterioration from the initial inspection that morning. Accrington advised Brentford officials on Friday confirming that the pitch was playable and that the game would go ahead when with hindsight this was clearly not the case. We call on the Football League to investigate the initial inspection, and the actions of both Accrington Stanley and the Football League officials that performed the inspection, and make public the findings of their investigation. We also request that the Football League review their processes surrounding pitch inspections to avoid a repeat of what happened on Saturday. We would be grateful if you could respond as soon as possible with your findings and any comments by email and by letter to the above address. Please note that this communication, and any response from yourselves, will be published on the BIAS web-site. Yours Sincerely Phil Marchant Chair Brentford Independent Association of Supporters More info: Pictures of the Accrington Stanley pitch (courtesy of Farnham Bee & the GPG) BIAS letter to Accrington Stanley Some good points in there. </TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle width=35> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>