STORM BABET has hit Scotland – causing severe disruption to roads and public services across the country, and sadly also fatalities.
And now no fewer than SIX clashes are off amid scenes which have left thousands of Scots without power.
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Aberdeen’s Premiership clash with Dundee, scheduled for Saturday night, is the highest profile casualty of the storm, with damage and flooding in two of the Pittodrie stands.
St Johnstone’s meeting with Motherwell is also off, despite reports earlier in the day from both clubs that the match WASN’T in doubt.
In the lower divisions, Arbroath vs Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers vs Montrose are both off.
So too is Elgin City v Forfar and Stenhousemuir vs Peterhead.
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An SPFL statement read: “The Scottish Professional Football League has confirmed that several games scheduled for this weekend have been postponed following significant weather warnings for much of the country.
“The SPFL has been in discussions with clubs, Police Scotland and relevant authorities on the developing situation and after the red weather warning issued for Tayside, Aberdeenshire and Angus earlier today, it has postponed matches in the interests of safety. “
Calum Beattie, SPFL chief operating officer, said: “We have been in close contact with Police Scotland and our clubs and it’s clear that we continue to face very severe weather, particularly in the North East, in the coming days.
“We never postpone any matches lightly, but our discussions with the emergency services left us in no doubt that this was the correct decision.”
An Aberdeen statement read: “The SPFL and Police Scotland have confirmed Saturday’s SPFL Premiership match against Dundee at Pittodrie has been postponed.
“Much of the Scottish east coast has been ravaged by Storm Babet, leading to significant damage, disruption and, tragically, loss of life.
“Pittodrie itself has not been immune, with both wind damage and flooding sustained in both the Richard Donald and Main Stands.
“With the United Kingdom MET Office having updated its weather warning status to red for large parts of the northeast on Saturday, the most severe threat level which includes a risk to life, Police Scotland and the SPFL have postponed the fixture, along with five others, to a future date.”
Chief Executive Alan Burrows said: “Given the current awful weather and the updated warnings now in place for Saturday, and the associated risk that would pose to the players, staff, and supporters of both clubs, postponing this match to a later date was the only sensible and logical step.
“It goes without saying that we would ask everyone to heed the current warnings and advice and stay safe until the worst of the weather has passed.”
The date and kick-off time of the rearranged match will be confirmed in due course.
Road closures and cancellations to ScotRail services will make it difficult for players and fans to travel to games.
Scots were urged to stay at home as a matter of course on Friday.
The worst of the weather will affect the north and east of Scotland, in particular the areas of Angus and Aberdeenshire.
In the town of Brechin in Angus there has been tragic flooding, with Met Office red weather warning for rain issued for the area.
Full list of postponements (as of 3pm Friday 20 October)
cinch Premiership
Aberdeen v Dundee
St Johnstone v Motherwell
cinch Championship
Arbroath v Raith Rovers
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cinch League 1
Cove Rangers v Montrose
cinch League 2
Elgin City v Forfar Athletic
Stenhousemuir v Peterhead
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