Poland to close stadium roof in sunny weather during England match ‘replay’

Reuters, Wednesday 17 Oct 2012

Polish officials scramble to explain roof fiasco which caused World Cup qualifier against England to be postponed due to waterlogged pitch

England and  Poland
A Polish soccer fan jokes on the pitch during heavy as the World Cup Group H qualifying soccer match between England and Poland at the National Stadium in Warsaw (Photo: AP)

Officials in Poland are scrambling to explain why they failed to close the stadium roof and prevent the country's World Cup qualifier with England being postponed by a waterlogged pitch.

The match has been rescheduled for Wednesday.

Heavy rain on Tuesday left pools of water on the field at the $600 million National Stadium, which has a retractable roof. The roof was left open, despite intensifying rainfall.

According to stadium managers, the Polish Football Association said neither team, nor the FIFA representative or referee, wanted the roof closed, despite the bad weather. They say the field has sufficient drainage.

Wednesday's match is to be held under closed roof, despite sunny weather in Warsaw.

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