Everton's third-round FA Cup clash with Peterborough has been thrown into doubt after snowy conditions left officials with last-minute decisions.
With just a few hours to go before the game, club officials have been faced with a tough decision about whether or not the fixture can go ahead. A meeting is planned for 1pm today, with news expected to come out soon after. The game is due to kick off at Goodison Park at 8pm tonight.
Update:
The fixture has now been confirmed to be taking place after Everton released the following statement:
‘A safety meeting was held this afternoon to assess the weather and travel conditions for fans attending the tie, which confirmed the game can go ahead. Everton Staff and a crew from Liverpool City Council‘s Streetscene Services team have been treating the roads and footpaths around the stadium since the morning to ensure they are as safe as possible for supporters accessing the stadium. Anyone attending Goodison Park is advised to prepare for the cold conditions, take care and to allow extra time that may be needed in travelling to the game, including being aware of any advice and weather warnings that may be in place in areas fans are travelling from.'
Everton vs Peterborough in doubt
In a statement by the Everton Fan Service, the club clarified the timescale. ‘A safety meeting involving the Club and relevant authorities will be held at 1pm to assess the weather and travel conditions for tonight’s FA Cup fixture against Peterborough United. At this stage the match is planned to go ahead as normal and every effort is being made to ensure that remains the case. We will continue to keep fans updated, and will provide more information following the meeting.'
Liverpool City Council confirmed volunteers were out in the streets gritting the roads to ensure the fixture was able to go ahead as planned.
A crew of 40 gritting staff have been out this morning to treat the roads around #GoodisonPark to ensure conditions are as safe as possible for fans travelling to the stadium for tonight’s #FACup match.
A ground safety meeting involving @Everton will assess the situation at 1pm. https://t.co/FT1B6JV8TM pic.twitter.com/qopDsYHkYo
— Liverpool City Council (@lpoolcouncil) January 9, 2025
FGG says: Safety the priority, but fans suffer either way
Safety is the number one priority in these decisions, but as usual, fans are left waiting until the last minute for a call to be made. While Everton fans are likely coming from local, Peterborough fans will have to travel over 180 miles to make the fixture. With it being a weekday, fans are being left with last-minute stress ahead of a huge fixture.
This isn't the first time Goodison Park has had trouble this season, however. Earlier in the season, the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was delayed due to storms. A fixture which has yet to be rescheduled. For now, fans will be left waiting for news, though with news expected to be released before fans set off on their travels, Peterborough fans at least should have some comfort.