Ipswich Town have found themselves at the centre of a growing storm in the Championship, as the English Football League (EFL) comes under intense pressure over its controversial decision to order a full replay of their abandoned match against Blackburn Rovers.
The fixture, originally played on 20 September 2025 at Ewood Park, was abandoned in the 79th minute due to a waterlogged pitch. At the time, Blackburn were leading 1-0, having scored via a penalty, and Ipswich were down to 10 men following a red card for defender Jacob Greaves. With less than 15 minutes of play remaining, many assumed the result would stand or at the very least be resumed from the point of interruption.
However, in a move that has sparked outrage and confusion, the EFL has ruled that the match must be replayed in full. The governing body defended its decision by citing regulations that dictate any match abandoned before full time must be replayed entirely, regardless of the scoreline or remaining time.
This decision has prompted backlash from fans, pundits, and club officials alike, with critics accusing the EFL of inconsistency and a lack of common sense. Many have pointed to the fact that Blackburn were in a commanding position when the match was stopped, and now risk losing three valuable points through no fault of their own.
Supporters of Blackburn Rovers have taken to social media to express their frustration, calling the ruling unfair and suggesting that it undermines the integrity of the competition. Meanwhile, Ipswich Town, while not directly at fault for the abandonment, are being dragged into the controversy, as their position benefits from the decision.
Adding further fuel to the fire, Jacob Greaves’ red card still stands, meaning Ipswich must play the replay without him, even though the match itself has effectively been nullified. This has only intensified the debate over fairness and consistency in EFL regulations.
Calls are now growing for the EFL to review its policies on abandoned matches, with some suggesting that new rules should allow matches to resume from the minute they were stopped, rather than forcing a full replay.
As things stand, the Ipswich vs Blackburn fixture will be replayed from the start — but the fallout from the decision is far from over.
As things stand, Ipswich Town’s upcoming clash with Blackburn will be replayed from kickoff, and the outcome of the decision is likely to be closely watched by clubs, fans, and league officials alike.
