Match Thread Away vs Grimsby town - Tue 22 December 7pm kick off

I was aware that they were facing the prospect of two charges. I am not aware that those charges have been formally made, yet.

 

I'd be very surprised if that happens.

Grimsby have certainly breached EFL rules by postponing the game which only the EFL can do and it's potentially a disciplinary matter. They've certainly also gone beyond the requirement to 'fulfil the fixture' which itself can also lead to some kind of disciplinary being taken by the EFL. That usually involves a fine and just possibly a points deductions in this case. Grimsby can also be ordered to pay us any aditional costs we've incurred because of the decision but it's a big step for Grimsby to forfeit the game and for us to be given the points. It can happen in cup games when clubs can get a bye if their opponents can't fulfil the fixture but there doesn't appear to be anything specific in the EFL league rules to allow that. I'd expect the EFL to take some action against Grimsby but then expect our game with them to be rearranged.

 

The thing is that just before they were due to play Cheltenham (the first ‘cancelled’ Match) They apparently had 7 players out https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/grimsby-town-injury-update-waterfall-4532295 the conspiracy theory fans, could say it was very convenient that they had to cancel the match due to Covid. They had just been comprehensively beaten twice in the league. The article is from Grimsby’s local paper!

 

Very very fishy! When they are clear of covid, all their injured players will have had time to recover from their respective injuries. No ‘flounder’ing here.

 

Very late postponement at Oxford v Crewe match. The details are not 100% clear but it appears that a Crewe player had a test, then travelled down with the rest of the Crewe team and only got the positive test result after arriving in Oxford.

A second Crewe player has reported feeling unwell; however, Crewe still wanted to play, but Oxford didn't want to and the matter was referred to the EFL, who agreed to call the match off, roughly half an hour before kick off.

Now there are claims from the Crewe end saying Oxford should forfeit the match, for asking it to be called off, whilst there are claims from the Oxford end saying Crewe should forfeit the match, for allowing a player to travel down with them whilst awaiting a test result.
https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2020/october/crewe-off/

This just adds to the dilemma for the EFL when trying to resolve the Grimsby v City (and others) match cancellation/postponement.

 

The story keeps changing, so all possibilities remain open. If these sorts of incidents keep happening, then something has to give.