Pearson blamed for 'Farce de France'
English referee Dave Pearson was not a popular man in Paris, after the Six Nations match between France and Ireland was postponed just before kick-off at the Stade de France on Saturday.
Pearson called the match off because of concerns over the safety of the pitch, leaving a capacity crowd fuming.
The English match official, Pearson, had passed it fit 90 minutes before the 20.00 GMT kick-off, but temperatures of -5 degrees Celsius, with a wind chill of -11°C, had made it rock hard by the time the teams were preparing to come out.
Boos rang out around the packed stadium as it dawned on the 70,000-plus spectators that the match had been called off.
French Rugby Federation President Pierre Camou expressed his “massive disappointment” at the cancellation, choosing his words carefully in fear of badmouthing the Six Nations organising committee.
“I’m sad for all the fans who’ve travelled, those who’ve come here from outside Paris,” he said.
Frazzled-looking Six Nations representative Christine Connolly, fielding no questions, told reporters: “Unfortunately on the advice of the referee it was decided that it was unplayable.
“He came here yesterday and inspected it under the covers and then again at 19.30 (18.30 GMT) this evening and it was playable.
“However, sadly in the 90 minutes after the covers were drawn back it froze over in several areas and was unplayable.”
Camou couldn’t resist a pop at the nationality of Pearson, who did not appear even to give a statement.
“I cannot speak for the referee as he for his own reasons has chosen not to appear to explain himself,” said Camou.
“I watched the Italy v England game earlier on where the pitch was covered in snow in places, and I would like to remind you that the referee was French!”
Both teams came out on to the pitch to vainly salute the furious spectators, including thousands of Irish fans who’d made the long trip over.
“It’s a real shame for you all but unfortunately the match has had to be cancelled,” said French captain Thierry Dusautoir.
“I hope you will all come and support us next time. The decision has been taken, and now we will prepare for the next time.”
France coach Philippe Saint-Andre added: “We would have preferred to play.
“The changing room was electric, the players were really ready to play but you have to respect the referee’s decision, it’s he who is in charge of players’ safety.”
The match is now slated to be played either next weekend, a planned Six Nations rest when the Stade de France is in use on Saturday for a Top 14 match between Stade Francais and Toulon scheduled at 15.00 GMT, or the weekend of March 3 and 4.
If the teams do play on March 3 and 4, it would mean them having to play on four consecutive weekends.
It is first time since 1985 that a Five Nations/Six Nations match has been called off because of the weather.
And the 2001 tournament saw three Ireland matches postponed until September and October of that year because of an epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease.
“The pitch was unsafe. The referee had to take the decision and it was tough for one man to do it,” Ireland coach Declan Kidney told the BBC.
“In fairness it was the right decision. The players were pumped up but it will be a new experience for them.
“The game will be rearranged – next week might be a bit tight, but it’s up to the Six Nations to decide. We will have to talk about it. I wouldn’t like to guess.”
One fan left furious was Mark Kelly, a salesman from Dublin.
“You wouldn’t get this in schoolboy rugby!” Kelly told AFP. “Me and my wife have been planning this for a year, St Valentine’s weekend and all that.
“These French friends came over last year to Dublin and we said we’d come this year.
“With hotel and flights and organising nannies for the two kids it has cost €1,000.
“The first we knew was 10 minutes after it was meant to kick off. The referee didn’t have the courtesy to come and announce it himself. I can’t come back as I can’t take another day off.”
AFP
