Ipswich Town set for crucial Blackburn Rovers abandonment hearing - Norwich City are involved | OneFootball

Ipswich Town are hoping to get a full replay of their clash against Blackburn Rovers

Ipswich Town’s appeal for their clash against Blackburn Rovers to be appealed in full will be heard by an eight-person panel on Thursday.

According to journalist Alan Nixon, the hearing will take place with eight people, including a representative from bitter rivals Norwich City.

The Tractor Boys are hoping that their 1-0 deficit to the Lancashire outfit will be wiped out after the game was abandoned by the referee last weekend after just 80 minutes of action due to heavy rain, which left the Ewood Park surface unplayable.

No decision has yet been made on how the outcome of the fixture will be determined, with three options on the table - with one of those being a full replay.

The game could also be restarted from the 80th minute, with the score remaining 1-0 and Ipswich still down to 10 men, while Blackburn may also be awarded all three points without another minute of action played - these two options are favoured by Rovers.

Ipswich Town set for Blackburn Rovers hearing over potential replay

As per Nixon, it has been reported that Ipswich will make their case for the game against Blackburn to be replayed in full on Thursday.

It’s understood that an eight-person panel will judge the case, including three representatives from the Championship - one though is a bitter rival of the Tractor Boys.

Norwich City executive director Zoe Webber is believed to be one of these three representatives, along with people from Middlesbrough and Preston North End.

It remains to be seen what decision will be made by the EFL, although it has previously been confirmed that it could take just a few days for a conclusion once arguments are made by both clubs.

Blackburn manager Valerien Ismael has made it clear that his preference is for his side to be awarded all three points due to the goal and man advantage they held when they game was abandoned, whilst captain Todd Cantwell also feels in a similar way.

However, Ipswich are hoping that the fixture can be replayed in full, resetting the score to 0-0 and essentially rescinding Jacob Greaves’ red card.

Norwich City’s role in Ipswich Town hearing will hopefully not be an issue for Tractor Boys

Rivalries these clubs may have at a fan level shouldn’t have much of an impact when deciding administration outcomes such as this abandoned game - a fair, constructive decision will likely be made.

It is to everyone’s benefit to leave those rivalries at the door, as the shoe could end up on the other foot down the line.

Norwich and Ipswich also recently worked together for the sale of Marcelino Nunez, indicating there is a healthy relationship between the two clubs behind the scenes despite their rivalry on it.

A full replay would be very beneficial for Ipswich given the score when the game was abandoned, and it’s likely they will get their way at this stage, based on recent precedents.