WATCH ABOVE: A storm system moved into the Capital Region overnight making for a messy commute and an issue at Clarke Field. Lisa Wolansky shows us how people are dealing with the spring blast of winter.
EDMONTON — The spring flowers and budding trees aren’t the only things covered in snow – Clarke Field, home to Wednesday night’s FC Edmonton soccer game, is too.
Kick-off was expected at 8:00 p.m. against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship semi final.
Both teams and the Canadian Soccer Association have discussed what kind of impact the white weather conditions could have on the game and players.
The Canadian Soccer Association released this statement earlier Wednesday:
“Due to the accumulation of snow in Edmonton, conditions at Clarke Field for tonight’s Amway Canadian Championship match are being evaluated. Canada Soccer officials are working with local stadium and field management to determine if the surface can be cleared to offer a safe playing environment for the match to take place.
“A decision will be made at 14:00 local time and be communicated shortly after. Canada Soccer will advise should the match need to be postponed.”
Then, later in the afternoon, a decision was made. It was a unanimous decision to postpone the game.
The match will resume on May 20. All tickets from Wednesday’s game will be honoured in two weeks.
“We don’t think that tomorrow – which is a normal rule: you play the next day at noon – that it will be much better, so ruling was made and everyone agreed that it will all be brought together in two weeks,” said Rod Proudfoot, GM of FC Edmonton Pro Soccer Club.
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“Even if they cleared the snow, it’s still not going to be able to melt. It’ll freeze. Tomorrow at 8 a.m. it can still be minus 2, So it’s all about players’ safety.”
Busloads of Vancouver fans were coming to Edmonton for this game. Proudfoot said they will refund them or honour their tickets in two-weeks time.
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