Jan 9 (Reuters) – Two Bundesliga matches have been scrapped due to large amounts of snow and ice blanketing pitches across Germany, while a third-round FA Cup match on Saturday has also been postponed due to freezing conditions in Britain.
The matches between St Pauli and RB Leipzig and Werder Bremen against Hoffenheim on Sunday were postponed due to the weather conditions.
Germany has been hit by heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures in recent days with more expected over the weekend, while Britain has been plunged into a deep freeze by Storm Goretti.
The stadium operator of St Pauli’s Millerntor Stadium closed the venue after consulting with local authorities, Germany’s football league said in a statement on Friday.
“This is due to the large amount of snow and ice across the entire stadium grounds and the associated safety risks for everyone involved on match day, as well as the critical overall situation in Hamburg. A new date for the match will be announced shortly,” the club said.
It was a similar case in Bremen.
There have been concerns that other matches, including Union Berlin against Mainz 05, could also be adversely affected by the weather as the Bundesliga season restarts this weekend after a three-week winter break.
Salford City’s third-round FA Cup tie at home to Swindon Town on Saturday was postponed due to freezing conditions.
“Sheets have remained on the pitch over the last couple of weeks in anticipation of the forecasted sub-zero temperatures, and heat lamps have been moved around the pitch throughout the week to try and help thaw the pitch out,” Salford City said in a statement.
“However despite the best efforts of the ground staff there are still parts of the pitch that are frozen, and the decision has been made early in conjunction with the FA and Swindon to prevent unnecessary disruption to travelling supporters.”
Three League Two (fourth tier) matches scheduled for Saturday, at Oldham Athletic, Chesterfield and Accrington Stanley, have also been postponed.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing and Karolos GrohmannEditing by Toby Davis)
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