By PA Sports Staff
November 27, 2024, at 9:45 PM GMT.
Portsmouth CEO Andrew Cullen was “disappointed and upset” after Pompey’s Championship match against Millwall was postponed due to a power outage.
Fratton Park was plunged into darkness 11 minutes before the scheduled 7.45pm kick-off, and it remained thus for 40 minutes due to a local power failure.
Players returned to warm up, but the game was called off at 8.40 p.m. due to other illumination not returning and the risk of missing the last train to London.
Pompey’s second match was put off in five days, and Cullen said: “I completely regret it. I’m quite unhappy and upset that we had to cancel the game, but it was the only rational decision we had at the moment
“There is more to it than the 22 players on the pitch and we didn’t have the confidence that we could get through the whole game with other lighting not working in the stands.”
Millwall manager Neil Harris, who has been involved in similar situations at Cambridge and Gillingham, stated: “The football club here and the officials have been outstanding.” We all wanted to play the game, but health and safety came first.
“It’s been a long day for us, and we’re eight games unbeaten, so we were eager to play.
“I feel for both groups of fans. Obviously, they will receive a refund or the opportunity to attend the next game, but this will not cover their travel expenses.”
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