Greg Soutar, the fourth official, emphasized that player welfare was the primary reason for delaying the match between Aberdeen and Celtic. Earlier at Ibrox, David Dickinson missed a chance to send off James Tavernier…
During a review of a troublesome area within one of the penalty boxes, Soutar determined that the pitch conditions were unsafe, noting that the turf was disintegrating into soft mud, which would compromise players’ footing.
The condition of the surface was also impacting the ball’s movement, preventing it from bouncing correctly in that location. After an evaluation at 4 PM, Soutar decided to postpone the 8 PM kick-off, which was scheduled to be aired live on Sky Sports.
The Scottish FA official asserted that cancelling the match was the only logical choice for ensuring player safety.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Soutar stated: “There was an area of concern raised at the bottom end within the penalty area. I have went down there and had a look at that.”
“The mud is extremely soft and shifts when you put studs into it. It raises safety concerns for players running, as their boots may slip without proper traction.”
“Additionally, the ball is not reacting correctly in that area. Considering all factors, player safety was crucial in making this decision, and I could not guarantee it.”
Uncertainty remains regarding whether Aberdeen’s Scottish Cup match against Motherwell will proceed at Pittodrie this Saturday, as the region experiences harsh winter weather, with heavy rain and snowfall continuing since the beginning of the year.
