Bristol City’s Carabao Cup opponents forced to postpone Championship clash

The Robins are due to make the trip to the Midlands on Wednesday evening but Coventry are unable to stage their next scheduled match
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Bristol City’s midweek Carabao Cup clash with Coventry City has been cast in to doubt after a recent postponement by the host club.

The Sky Blues - due to play in front of the Sky Sports cameras for a second time this week - were forced to postpone their televised Championship clash with Rotherham United.

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A pitch inspection took place on Friday by an EFL and local official deeming the Coventry Building Society Arena pitch to be ‘unsafe’ and ‘unplayable’ with first-team manager Mark Robins also present.

Coventry have been unable to fully access the stadium with it in use this summer for concerts as well as also staging Rugby Sevens matches for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Dave Boddy, Chief Executive at Coventry City said: “We are extremely disappointed at this postponement due to the condition of the pitch.

“It has been deemed unplayable and unsafe by the inspecting official and, having seen it myself, I can understand this decision.

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“Last season the condition of the pitch was highlighted as a concern and we expected that this would be addressed by Wasps and the Arena, who are responsible for the pitch, over the Summer – sadly this has not been the case, and this is the result of that, plus the large amount of use at the Commonwealth Games last week.

“I am seeking urgent talks with Stephen Vaughan, the Chief Executive at Wasps, and the Arena over the condition of the pitch, and expect immediate and significant improvements to be made to make the pitch playable as soon as possible.”

Coventry will have four days to get the pitch up to standard with the situation closely being monitored with the English Football League, the organisers of the EFL Cup.

As to whether Wednesday’s game will go ahead, the club have yet to make decision but have promised to keep their supporters updated.

They said: “We are very sorry to have to bring this news to our supporters, and will keep them updated with regard to Wednesday’s Carabao Cup game against Bristol City.”

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