Bournemouth say Friday night's Championship clash with Nottingham Forest was postponed due to damage caused to the Vitality Stadium in the wake of Storm Eunice.
Steve Cooper’s Reds were due to take on their fellow promotion-hopefuls this evening, but the game was called off little more than four hours before the scheduled 7.45pm kick-off.
Many Forest fans were either already on the south coast at that point or had started to make the long journey down from Nottingham.
Bournemouth said in a statement: “Friday’s SkyBet Championship match between AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest has been postponed for safety reasons following damage to Vitality Stadium caused by Storm Eunice.
“Structural engineers have carried out an inspection of the stadium and have confirmed that the damage could pose a significant risk to supporters’ safety.
“The ongoing impact of the storm means the damage cannot be repaired in time either to fulfil the fixture on Friday, or at a re-arranged time on Saturday.
“The postponement was recommended by the club’s Safety Advisory Group.
“A new date for the fixture will be announced in due course. All purchased tickets will be valid for the rearranged fixture, but all supporters will be eligible for a refund if unable to attend the new date.
“The club apologises for the inconvenience caused by this announcement, but would like to reassure supporters it has been made with the safety of everyone due to attend the match in mind.”
The match had originally been scheduled for Saturday, February 19, but was moved to be shown live on Sky TV.
Forest are understood to have hoped the game could still be played on that date, but a new date will now be scheduled.
Bournemouth had said on Thursday night: “The club is working alongside its Safety Advisory Group, the EFL and Nottingham Forest, and will provide relevant information to all those planning to travel as soon as possible on Friday."
