Valerien Ismael blasts EFL’s ‘disgraceful’ decision to replay Blackburn vs Ipswich
Blackburn Rovers manager Valerien Ismael has branded the EFL’s ruling to replay their abandoned clash with Ipswich Town as “disgraceful.”
The Frenchman echoed the strong criticism already voiced in the club’s official statement, confirming that Rovers are weighing up an appeal after being ordered to restart the match in full. The original fixture was halted in the 79th minute with Blackburn 1-0 up against ten-man Ipswich.
Speaking to RoversTV, Ismael did not hold back:
“I’ll just make one statement. It’s a disgraceful decision. It’s really bad publicity for English football. I’ve had messages from abroad—from sporting directors, CEOs, players, colleagues, managers. Everyone was shocked. It just shows it’s not right.”
The Rovers boss also criticised the timing of the announcement, insisting clearer rules are needed:
“When you have a week to decide and then release it so late, it shows urgency is needed for new guidelines. It’s completely wrong as it stands.”
While admitting the board will determine the next steps, Ismael urged his players to focus on football, praising their display against Ipswich and stressing the need for resilience:
“It doesn’t change our performance—we scored and kept a clean sheet. The players did their part. Now it’s about dealing with adversity, showing resilience and moving on. We must stay connected and focus on Charlton.”
The manager acknowledged the frustration felt within the squad, who believed their hard work had been wiped away, but encouraged them to take confidence from the performance rather than dwell on the ruling.
Leave a Reply