Tottenham vs Leicester LIVE! Match cancelled – pre-season friendly stream, latest updates and reaction
Spurs headed to Thailand today to continue their pre-season preparations with a clash against former Premier League opponents at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok. But heavy rainfall saw the match delayed by 40 minutes before eventually being called off. Tottenham’s wait for their first win of the Ange Postecoglou era therefore goes on, having lost a five-goal thriller to fierce rivals West Ham in the Australian’s opening match in charge on Tuesday.
Leicester are also embarking upon a new start under Enzo Maresca after last season’s relegation to the Championship, continuing their summer campaign with a narrow win over depleted Northampton. They were set to face a swift reunion with James Maddison with a side containing ex-Spurs midfielder Harry Winks, before the postponement.
There was very heavy rainfall at the open-air Rajamangala National Stadium in the hours leading up to the match, and the conditions never improved. A succession of pitch inspections took place, including from Postecoglou and Spurs’ own groundsmen. But eventually it was deemed there were just too many puddles around the pitch, and the match was called off. The players from both sides did a lap of honour to thank the fans for their support before departing.
Live updates
Leicester statement
Leicester City Football Club regrets to confirm the cancellation of this afternoon’s pre-season friendly against Tottenham Hotspur.
The game was scheduled to take place at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium on Sunday July 23, however heavy rains in the hours leading up to the scheduled kick-off have left the pitch unplayable, as assessed by the match referee and event organisers.
Taking into account the safety of the players and the overall integrity of the game, the unavoidable decision to cancel the fixture was taken after extensive consideration to those who were in attendance by the event organisers on the recommendation of the match referee.
Leicester City would like to extend its thanks to all supporters who have followed the Club in Bangkok, and regrets that the game was deemed unsafe to go ahead in circumstances that were beyond the Club’s control.
Leicester City Football Club regrets to confirm the cancellation of this afternoon’s pre-season friendly against Tottenham Hotspur.
Big shame for fans
Very disappointing for the fans who travelled all the way out to Bangkok to support Spurs and Leicester in this pre-season friendly.
But the rain was frankly biblical, and it was the right decision given the safety of the players to cancel the match.
No need to pick up needless injuries ahead of what will no doubt be a long season, and one of big change for both of these clubs.
MATCH CANCELLED
Tottenham have confirmed through their media channels that the match has been postponed.
Their statement reads: “Tonight’s friendly against Leicester City has been cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch and adverse weather conditions.
“The event organisers, based on a recommendation from the match officials, deemed the pitch at the Rajamangala National Stadium unplayable and unsafe following heavy rainfall in Bangkok.”
Hmm…
That final pitch inspection is taking quite a while to garner a decision….
Final pitch inspection taking place
There is a last pitch inspection taking place. There is a particularly large puddle by one of the boxes. It’s also started to rain more heavily.
We’ll bring you the definitive decision whenever it arrives!
Pitch-clearing
Looks like those who were clearing rain off the pitch have done a decent job, increasing the liklihood that this match might go ahead after all. But still we await a clear indication either way.
Another inspection
Another inspection on the pitch. Spurs groundsmen among the group all assessing whether the pitch is playable.
Delayed, naturally
Still no indication whether this rain-swept match will take place. It’s due to kick-off in two minutes, but whether it takes place in the end or not, it certainly won’t be starting in 120 seconds…
Wiping the rain away?!
There are groundsmen trying to wipe the rain off the edges of the pitch now.
A minute ago, Ange Postecoglou was the only person on the pitch — walking sheepishly across it, to determine his own verdict of how sodden it is.
Spoiler: it is completely sodden…
Hold on a second…
The rain has continued POURING in Bangkok and there are puddles all over the pitch. It looks like the ref and officials are on the pitch, inspecting whether the pitch is playable.
I sense we may have a decision in the next few minutes.
