Scotland Fans Triumph Over Rain Delay as Steve Clarke Earns Commendation, While UEFA Draws Criticism from Willy Sagnol

Scotland manager Steve Clarke praised the Scottish fans for their invaluable support during a surreal evening, as their Euro 2024 qualifier faced a delay due to a waterlogged pitch. The heavy rain prior to kick-off rendered the conditions unsuitable at Hampden Park, leading to a 90-minute interruption after just seven minutes of gameplay. Ground staff had to work diligently to eliminate the excess water from the field.

Scotland secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Georgia, maintaining their perfect record of four wins from four matches in the qualifying campaign. The match concluded at 11.20pm, and manager Clarke expressed his appreciation for the loyal home supporters who stood by the team throughout the delay and into the late hours of the night. Reflecting on the unusual and surreal circumstances, Clarke emphasized the significance of earning three points and acknowledged it as a strong start to the campaign.

"The players were magnificent. They stayed focused on the game, came out to warm up I don't know how many times.

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Scotland's game with Georgia was suspended after just seven minutes of action

The support of the crowd was truly remarkable. As the players stepped onto the field for warm-up, the crowd united in song and cheers, making it abundantly clear that they were there to back their favorite team.

Despite the possibility of people losing interest and dispersing, the crowd remained steadfast, demonstrating unwavering loyalty to the team. Such dedication is deeply valued and greatly appreciated by all.

The referee temporarily halted the match, and the ground staff had two chances to remove the rainwater from the pitch. Initially, the Hampden surface did not meet the inspection criteria, but it was deemed suitable after the second attempt.

After a 10-minute warm-up session on the pitch, both teams were unexpectedly instructed to return to the dressing rooms. However, the Scotland players later emerged, ready to continue the game from where it had been paused at 9.15pm.

In a strange turn of events, the players from Georgia initially declined to continue the game, leaving the Scotland players on the field bewildered. Eventually, the visiting team emerged from the tunnel to resume the match at 9.35pm, a staggering one hour and 40 minutes after the game had initially begun.

When asked to provide an explanation for the situation, Clarke stated, "The Georgian players were assessing the condition of the pitch at the beginning of the game and believed it to be unchanged."

The teams were in the tunnel when we came out and it was evident that it was pouring again. As a result, they were skeptical about the condition of the pitch.

However, to everyone's surprise, the pitch began to drain. I must give a special mention to the dedicated volunteers who were tirelessly sweeping the water off the pitch and doing everything within their power to ensure the game could proceed.

"And when Georgia came out and had a look in the warm-up, they could see the pitch is fine. We got there in the end."

Georgia boss: We were treated like objects by UEFA

Georgia manager Willy Sagnol expressed his dismay at UEFA for demonstrating a disregard for his team's well-being by pressuring them to promptly resume the game. Sagnol questioned the lack of consideration shown by the UEFA delegate who informed them that they had to play within six minutes. He highlighted the challenging circumstances faced by his players, who had been confined indoors for 30 minutes without adequate time for a proper meal, stretching their wait to approximately four-and-a-half or five hours. Sagnol questioned the rationale behind expecting such demands from dedicated professionals.

"We were treated as mere objects," said Scotland's captain, Andy Robertson, while discussing the situation in the corridor. He expressed his belief that perhaps the match should not have been restarted, as everyone had reached their limit. The players were enduring the discomfort of the cold weather and were feeling far from their best. The prevailing sentiment was that everyone had grown tired of the prolonged waiting.

"We were marginalized, almost stripped of our agency," he added, referring to the dismissive attitude towards them. The players felt disempowered, being constantly told to remain silent and obediently follow instructions."

Robertson: Important for game to go ahead if pitch was playable

"I would like to express my immense gratitude to the ground staff, who worked tirelessly to ensure the pitch was playable. Even the ball boys showed great dedication in their attempts to remove the rainwater," Robertson shared with We News on Wednesday.

The game was made possible due to the collective effort of the entire team. We are extremely grateful to them, as the game would not have taken place without their contribution.

We faced the challenge of Georgia opposing the game, but fortunately, the right decision was made. The playing field was in a suitable condition, and most importantly, we were able to secure three points.

The support from the fans was incredible as the cheers grew louder and louder during our warm-up. We are extremely grateful for their unwavering enthusiasm. This is a tremendous beginning to our campaign.

From Scotland's perspective, even if the score remained 0-0, we were determined to proceed with the game. We did not want to postpone it to another day, including today (Wednesday). Ensuring the game took place was crucial as long as the pitch was in a playable condition.

7.47pm: The match between Scotland and Georgia begins amidst torrential conditions, as water splashes with every movement made by the players and the ball consistently becomes stuck.

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Heavy rainfall started at Hampden Park around 90 minutes before kick-off

7.53pm: Callum McGregor puts Scotland ahead after six minutes.

At 7:54pm, the referee Istvan Vad initiates a VAR check on the goal and confers with officials on the touchline. Subsequently, he addresses both captains, along with certain players attempting to intervene, regarding the prevailing playing conditions.

By 7:57pm, the players and match officials retreat to the dressing rooms while the grounds staff, SFA staff, and ball boys and girls commence the task of sweeping the pitch to eliminate any surface water.

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The match began at the usual time of 7.45pm, disregarding the prevailing conditions.

At 8pm, UEFA announced a suspension of the game for a duration of 20 minutes to facilitate the removal of surface water. Subsequently, a first pitch inspection would be conducted.

The referee and a match official conduct their initial pitch inspection at 8.15pm while the staff persist in their efforts to clear the surface.

At 8.21pm, it is determined that the pitch does not meet the requirements during the first inspection. Another inspection is scheduled for 8.35pm. There are reports indicating that if the game cannot be played on Tuesday evening, it will be rescheduled for Wednesday. The alternative venues being considered are Hampden Park or St Mirren, in case Hampden Park is deemed unsuitable for play.

8.33pm: The referee and a fellow match official carry out a second inspection of the pitch, while the teams, coaching staff, and association officials gather near the dugouts in anticipation of a verdict.

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Georgia's players initially failed to come back on but the restarted at 9.35pm

Both teams step onto the field for their warm-up at 8.45pm, coinciding with the return of rain. Despite the weather, the ball glides smoothly across the pitch, with particular focus on the goal areas.

8.59pm: The players had back down the tunnel - much to the bemusement of the Scotland fans and players.

9.02pm: The restart time is pushed back to 9.15pm.

The Scotland players step out of the tunnel at 9.11pm, prepared to continue the game. Surprisingly, the Georgia players are nowhere to be seen.

At 9.17pm, Viaplay Sports announces that the Georgia team is adamant about not returning to the field to resume the game. Meanwhile, the Scotland players persist on the pitch, carrying on with their second warm-up.

9.19pm: The referee emerges again with the ball under his arm, and conducts another mini pitch inspection, to the continuing annoyance of the players and fans.

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Scott McTominay doubles Scotland's lead over Georgia at Hampden Park

The restart time is once again delayed until 9.30pm, much to the frustration of the Scotland fans. Despite this, the players show their appreciation for the fans' patience and retreat back to the dressing room. Meanwhile, the Georgia players face a hostile reception from the home fans as they come out of their dressing room, greeted by a chorus of boos.

At 9.29pm, the restart is once again postponed, this time until 9.35pm.

Five minutes later, at 9.34pm, the Scotland players resurface on the pitch amidst a resounding cheer from the crowd, marking the recommencement of play after a lengthy delay of one hour and forty minutes since the game was first suspended.