The controversial postponement of Friday's match between Sale and Wasps has seen Premier Rugby urgently request a referee's report.
Premier Rugby urgently request referee's report after postponement
The controversial postponement of Friday's Guinness Premiership match between Sale Sharks and Wasps has seen Premier Rugby urgently request a referee's report.
The London outfit climbed back on their bus after claiming surface water down one channel of the pitch at Sale's Edgeley Park ground had made it too dangerous to play on, marking the third time Wasps have been involved in a late postponement in three successive seasons.
Sale chief executive James Jennings has challenged Premier Rugby, the umbrella organisation for top-flight clubs, to make the "right response" to Wasps' withdrawal and Premier Rugby have released a statement.
"Following the cancellation of the Sale Sharks v London Wasps game, Premier Rugby will be urgently requesting a full report from the referee," said the statement.
Outraged
Sale and their fans were left outraged by the walk-out and Jennings is keen to see the organisation take appropriate action against Wasps.
"We feel that the fans of both clubs have been badly let down, and it is clear to me that from the reaction to my announcement, that all fans wanted and expected the game to go ahead," said Jennings.
"They were as shocked and surprised as me that this game did not happen. There has been no reasonable explanation provided by Wasps for their decision not to play.
"We will have to see what action PRL (Premier Rugby Ltd) now take, but we are very clear what the right response should be to this."
The game was postponed almost 15 minutes after the scheduled 7.45pm kick-off, despite referee David Rose being happy for the game to go ahead.
"We didn't think the pitch was fit to play on," said Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks.
"As a club we will never compromise the safety of our players and tonight it was clear that playing on a pitch in the condition that we saw at Edgeley Park would put them at risk.
"It is not a decision we would take lightly. We were looking forward to the game and had prepared well this week and after the display at Saracens last weekend the players were up for the challenge, so we all leave disappointed.
"We always appreciate the support of our fans and for both the Sale and Wasps supporters we feel their frustration and disappointment at not being able to enjoy this fixture, but hope they can understand this was a necessary precaution."
Safety
In a statement on their official website, Wasps insisted the primary reason behind the postponement was the safety of their players.
"Player safety remains paramount to the club and will not be compromised under any circumstance," said the statement.
"On arrival at Edgeley Park, inspection to the pitch showed the playing surface to be holding standing water, surrounded by soft and sloppy mud, which would have made scrummaging extremely dangerous. This was seen in the extreme within the 15m channel on the tunnel side of the stadium.
"After discussions with the referee, David Rose, who had consulted the necessary regulations, Wasps concerns over safety were registered and the game was called off. London Wasps are hugely disappointed that this game was unable to go ahead and that both home and away fans have been unable to enjoy the fixture but reiterates its commitment to player safety."
Meanwhile, Saturday's FA Cup second-round match between Stockport and Torquay, also due to be played at Edgeley Park, has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
