Carling Cup semis postponed as freeze continues

Freezing conditions in the north of England have forced the postponement of both Carling Cup semi-final first legs.

Tuesday's game between Blackburn and Aston Villa at Ewood Park was the first to go despite the pitch being playable.
Manchester City's Eastlands was fit for Wednesday's game against Manchester United, but accessing either ground was deemed too treacherous for supporters.

The Blackburn-Villa ties have yet to be rearranged but the first leg of City v United will take place on 19 January.
"We have had the kind of harsh weather unseen in this part of the world for years and years," said City chief executive Garry Cook.

"We pursued every avenue possible in search of a solution and while the pitch is still playable, what was paramount in our thinking was the safety of fans travelling to and from the game especially in light of the sub-zero temperatures forecast for Wednesday."

The BBC will televise the first leg of the all-Manchester encounter with the second leg due to take place on Wednesday, 27 January.

Normally, the first leg of the Cup tie would have been rearranged for next Wednesday, but City are due to play Blackburn in a televised Premier League game on Monday.

Rovers said in a statement: "It would be unadvisable to expect fans and staff to attempt to get to the match.
"Even if fans are able to get to Ewood Park we would not like to speculate on what type of journey home they may face at 2200 GMT when temperatures will be sub-zero."

BBC SPORT