Stadium switch for Wimbledon-Newcastle Carabao Cup clash postponed by flooding

The Carabao Cup tie between AFC Wimbledon and Newcastle has been switched to St James’ Park on October 1 after the London club’s stadium was affected by flooding.

The third-round match was due to be played at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Tuesday night but will now be played in the north east seven days later.

“Following an agreement between both clubs and subsequent approval from the management committee of the competition, the fixture will now be reversed and will take place a week later at St James’ Park,” an EFL statement said.

The EFL said Wimbledon’s League Two match against Crewe, which was scheduled for the same night, will now be rearranged.

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Images showed one corner of the pitch was particularly damaged by flooding of the River Wandle, with a misshapen surface more reminiscent of a golf course following heavy rainfall in the area.

Walkways running around the ground were also flooded, with the club confirming the stadium was closed “until further notice”.

A fan-initiated JustGiving fundraiser to help the supporter-owned club accelerate repairs has already raised more than £3,500.

The fourth round of the Carabao Cup is due to take place the week commencing October 28.

Wimbledon reached the third round with a stunning penalty shoot-out victory over Premier League side Ipswich.

Newcastle also secured their spot with a dramatic finale on spot-kicks, beating Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Wimbledon later released a lengthy statement reflecting on “an immensely difficult day”, and said the club was “trying to find a solution” for Saturday’s scheduled Sky Bet League Two game against Accrington – with “no possibility” it could be held at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

“Staff encountered significant flooding of the ground level of the stadium, affecting our offices, the shop and museum, reception areas, lifts, and tunnel area, as well as all concourse areas at ground level,” a club statement read.

“This afternoon, several independent contractors have visited the site and conducted surface level investigations. More investigations are required in the coming days in order to plan for repair works to the pitch as a priority, and we are in regular contact with our insurers.

“Earlier, we postponed the Newcastle United game, and thanks to them and the EFL for their swift action and agreement to reverse the fixture. As a result, our match against Crewe Alexandra also needed to be postponed.

“We are still trying to find a solution for this Saturday’s match, although there is no possibility that this can be at our stadium.

“We are also doing everything we can to ensure that the Blue & Yellow Club’s fundraising event on Thursday, as well as Geoff Northcott’s comedy fundraiser on Friday night, proceed as planned.”

Wimbledon thanked the wider football community for the support shown.

“We have overcome many setbacks by working together and this one will be no different,” the statement added.

“We genuinely appreciate all the messages of support and offers from volunteers and members to help us fix the damage.

“We ask for some patience whilst we complete our investigations and formulate our plans before getting to work. We will advise further what supporters can do to help us soon; thank you.”