AFC has not explained why the final match was not postponed due to heavy snowfall.
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) officials have yet to give any explanation for the decision to still let the final match of the AFC U-23 Championship between Vietnam and Uzbekistan take place in heavy snow conditions at the Changzhou Olympic Stadium.
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| Players covered in snow during the US win over Costa Rica. Photo: Forthewin |
However, in the past, the history of world football has recorded many other matches also submerged in snow. The most famous in terms of the thickness of snow in the framework of national football matches is probably the match in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers between the US and Costa Rica in March 2013 in Colorado (USA).
Despite the hosts' efforts to shovel snow, the pitch was completely covered in white when the match began. The US won 1-0 and Costa Rica filed a request to have the match annulled, claiming that the snow had severely affected their play. FIFA later rejected the request and allowed the score to stand.
The debate over snow has been a constant throughout football history. Many matches have been abandoned, but only when the snow has covered the pitch to a depth of 5-6cm before the match. There are hardly any clear regulations from FIFA on the cancellation of matches due to weather. In the regulations on safety and security of matches issued by FIFA, there are only general regulations on the cancellation of matches when “the weather is so severe that it poses a danger to the players”.
Former English referee Mike Riley - currently running the Premier League's Match Commission - has shared many experiences about canceling matches due to snow. The two main reasons for canceling matches given by Mr. Riley are: 1. Dangerous enough for players; 2. Spectators have no vision.
In December 2017, a series of clubs in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland simultaneously called on the organizers of their tournaments to cancel matches due to heavy snow. Northern Ireland's Halesowen Town said their football pitch was covered in up to 3 inches of snow and the stadium management was completely helpless in clearing the snow. Only then did the organizers decide to postpone many matches.
But Premier League games are rarely cancelled, despite heavy snowfalls, thanks to the fact that top-flight clubs have state-of-the-art stadiums with heating systems underneath the pitch.
