MOSCOW, March 31 (R-Sport) - Heavy snowfall has forced Monday's Russian Premier League football match between Krylya Sovetov Samara and Terek Grozny to be postponed, the referee has said.
The snow has been cleared from the pitch at the Metallurg stadium in the central city of Samara, but video footage from the stadium showed a waterlogged field with large muddy areas as referee Timur Arslanbekov inspected the pitch an hour before the scheduled kickoff 18.30 local time (15.30 GMT).
"It is impossible to hold the match on the grounds of safety and audience appeal, so the game will not take place today," Arslanbekov said in a video posted online by Krylya.
"The decision was taken collectively, with me as referee, my team, together with the match delegate. It's a shame that there won't be a match. I want to work. We'll wait until the league announces the place and time to host the match."
Krylya have long had problems with their pitch, which tends to become muddy and waterlogged in spring.
Krylya are 11th and Terek 14th in the 16-team Russian top flight. A win against Krylya could see Terek rise to 12th, escaping the relegation playoff zone, while Krylya could overtake 10th-placed FC Kuban if they take all three points.
Monday's other game sees CSKA Moscow, in fifth, host 15th-placed FC Volga. There have been no reports of any weather disruption to that fixture.
