\n<\/p>\n
The Football Association offers guidance to the grassroots game, which places an emphasis on planning.<\/p>\n
It says that it is “the responsibility of the match official to determine whether a fixture should be postponed, cancelled or abandoned”.<\/p>\n
Officials and competition organisers ensure conditions are safe for a game to begin, or continue. <\/p>\n
When it comes to a game in the Premier League or the English Football League, the referee will make the call.<\/p>\n
It is unusual for an electrical storm to cause a game to be paused or postponed in England – largely because it is a winter sport and few games take place when electrical storms are more prevalent. <\/p>\n
In fact, thunderstorms are reported to be four times more common in North America than Europe.<\/p>\n
In September 2016, the Champions League tie between Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach was abandoned on “safety and security grounds”.<\/p>\n
That, however, was more down to the rain than lightning – the goalmouth at one end was heavily waterlogged.<\/p>\n
Manchester United did see a pre-season event abandoned because of an electrical storm in 2004. <\/p>\n
Two games were due to be played at Old Trafford, with PSV Eindhoven v Urawa Red Diamonds cut short by referee Andy D’Urso with 10 minutes remaining. With more storms forecast, the match between Manchester United and Urawa Red Diamonds was also cancelled.<\/p>\n
In Europe, a game at Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion at Euro 2024 was affected. <\/p>\n
Referee Michael Oliver halted the last-16 encounter between Germany and Denmark at 0-0 in the 36th minute, with the players leaving the pitch as lightning flashed in the sky.<\/p>\n
Heavy rain drenched the pitch, with water pouring down one corner of the stadium roof close to the Denmark supporters.<\/p>\n
The match was suspended for about 25 minutes before continuing.<\/p>\n
If there are delays to several matches at this summer’s World Cup it could make for a unique experience. <\/p>\n
How long will a match last? Is it going to overlap another? And will it even finish on that day at all?<\/p>\n
That is something the powerful North American weather will decide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n