Bristol City's Carabao Cup clash against Coventry on Wednesday will now be played at Burton Albion's Pirelli Stadium following a failed pitch inspection.
It was highly unlikely following the weekend's events that the game would go ahead at Coventry's Building Society Arena after their match against Rotherham on Sunday was postponed due to the conditions of the pitch.
It was deemed unplayable and unsafe by the referee following a summer of hosting concerts and after the recent rugby sevens matches during the Commonwealth Games. The stadium is owned by the rugby team Wasps who failed to relay the pitch during the off-season.
Following lengthy discussions on Monday, the parties have come to an agreement to play the game at Burton's home ground situated an hour's drive north of Coventry's home crowd.
Away tickets purchased for the game remain valid although there is the option of a refund. A statement on City's official site read : "The League Cup match was scheduled to take place at the Coventry Building Society Arena but, following a pitch inspection which concluded the surface did not meet the required standard, the fixture will now take place at the home of Sky Bet League One outfit Burton Albion.
"Carabao Cup rules stipulate that if the hosting team cannot fulfil the fixture at their home ground, a neutral venue must be found in the first instance before looking at reversing the fixture.
"All 366 purchased tickets remain valid for the round one clash with travelling supporters able to be accommodated within the seated area at the new venue."
Dave Boddy, Coventry's CEO, added: “It is with regret we have had to do this, but there was no way that it can be guaranteed the pitch could be playable or safe on Wednesday and it was important this decision was taken sooner rather than later."
Reported by Coventry Live, Boddy also told BBC CWR. “And quite frankly, I’m embarrassed by the situation. We’re a Championship football club and we expect the pitch to be near to a Championship level, and it’s not. It’s nowhere near.
“The match referee that inspected the pitch said you wouldn’t have played a League Two game on it, let alone a Championship game, so just bitterly disappointed, embarrassed and feel let down.”
From a geographical point of view for City fans, it's far from ideal as the change in venue adds an extra hour on to the return journey if driving. Burton Albion are also in the northern section of the draw while both City and Coventry remain in the southern section.
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