EFL Orders Full Replay of Blackburn Ipswich Championship Match after Rain Abandonment

The EFL has decided that the Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town, abandoned due to heavy rain after 79 minutes with Blackburn leading 1-0 and Ipswich down to 10 men, will be replayed in full. This decision has sparked dissatisfaction from Blackburn, who argued the game should resume from the point of abandonment given their lead and man advantage. Ipswich supports a full replay, which would reset the score and nullify the sending off of their player Jacob Greaves, though his suspension will still stand. The EFL's decision follows precedents from similar abandoned matches, like Leyton Orient vs Lincoln City, where games were replayed in full to uphold competition integrity. An eight-person panel, including representatives from other Championship clubs such as Norwich City, is set to hear Ipswich's appeal on the issue. Blackburn's manager and captain prefer being awarded the win or playing only the remaining minutes, but the emerging precedent suggests a full replay is the most likely outcome.