The English League Cup match between fourth division club AFC Wimbledon and Premier League club Newcastle United has been cancelled due to a sinkhole on the football pitch. The AFC announced this on Monday. Rainfall the night before had caused severe flooding in Wimbledon and other parts of London.
Hole in the ground on the playing field
At Wimbledon, the River Wandle burst its banks. The pitch at the Cherry Red Records Stadium was so badly affected by the water that a hole in the ground appeared in one corner, as can be seen in pictures. The walkways around the Plough Lane venue were also no longer accessible due to the flooding. The stadium had to be closed for the time being. The third round cup match will now take place on October 1st at St. James’ Park in Newcastle, as AFC Wimbledon announced this evening.
Fans want to pay for pitch repairs
To cover the cost of the repairs, fans initiated a fundraising campaign. AFC Wimbledon was founded by fans in 2002 as the successor club to Wimbledon FC after the club moved to Milton Keynes and was renamed MK Dons. AFC is owned by a non-profit organization founded by fans, in which every member has the right to vote.
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