Here’s a breakdown of why the Championship game between Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town was abandoned when there were only about 10 minutes left, along with what’s likely to happen next, per the EFL rules.

What happened during the match

• At Ewood Park, Blackburn were leading 1‑0 thanks to a penalty by Todd Cantwell just after the hour mark. (TalkSport)

• Ipswich had been reduced to 10 men around the 49th minute when Jacob Greaves was sent off for a professional foul. (ESPN.com)

• From that point, the weather steadily worsened.

• Heavy rain made the pitch increasingly waterlogged.

• Ball movement was impaired, the pitch condition deteriorated, water pooled in spots, the surface began to “plug” for the ball (i.e. the ball would stop or bounce poorly) and in general the playing conditions became unsafe and unplayable. (ESPN.com)

• In the 80th minute (around 10 minutes from 90), the referee Stephen Martin halted play.

• He inspected the pitch and decided it was no longer safe or feasible to continue.

• Shortly after, the match was officially abandoned. (ESPN.com)

Why the decision was made

A few linked factors:

1. Weather warnings were in place before the match.

2. Heavy, unrelenting rain was forecast for northwest England (where Blackburn is), so this was not entirely unexpected. (The Sun)

3. The pitch was waterlogged, affecting not only playability but safety — player injuries risk increases if the surface is unstable, ball behavior is erratic, etc.

4. The referee and match officials have to ensure conditions are safe under the Laws of the Game. (ESPN.com)

5. By that point, with 80 minutes played and only 10 minutes left, the game had run its course for almost full duration, but was still short of the full match time.

6. Under EFL rules, if a match falls short of 90 minutes due to “any cause whatever”, the governing board (here the EFL Board) has discretion over whether to let the result stand, replay the whole match, or resume from the minute where it stopped. (EFL Analysis)

What happens next (what rules allow & what both clubs want)

• EFL Board decision: Blackburn and Ipswich have acknowledged that the EFL Board will determine the next steps — whether to record the result as is, order a replay (full or partial), or perhaps resume from the minute of abandonment. (ESPN.com)

• The EFL’s regulations state: “All League Matches shall be of 90 (ninety) minutes’ duration.

• Any League Match which from any cause whatever falls short of 90 minutes’ duration may be ordered to count as a completed fixture or be replayed in full or in part…” (EFL Analysis)

• Blackburn’s captain, Todd Cantwell, has voiced the hope publicly that the EFL make a “fair conclusion”, presumably that Blackburn’s win be recognised. (EFL Analysis)

• But it’s considered unlikely by many observers that the result will simply stand, given there were still 10 minutes to play and conditions were clearly compromised. (EFL Analysis)

Why this is controversial & what’s at stake

• For Blackburn, losing those final 10 minutes (if replayed) could feel harsh: they had the lead, and had performed well in the match.

• A replay might negate all that effort just short of the full 90 minutes. (ESPN.com)

• Ipswich might welcome a replay if the final minutes were untenable or if momentum was against them; their reduced numbers (from the red card) already made their task harder. (ESPN.com)

• Fans are also frustrated: many had stayed to the end only for the match to be called off; there’s sentiment that this outcome undermines the integrity of the match. (TalkSport)

Possible outcomes

Here are the plausible rulings:

1. Replay the full match: Start from minute 0, full 90 minutes – this is simplest but may feel unfair to Blackburn.

2. Resume from minute ~80: Play the remaining 10 minutes (plus any remaining added time). Less likely, as this is rare and logistically difficult (players’ condition, match scheduling, etc.).

Let result stand: Blackburn win 1‑0. This is possible under the rules but seems less likely because of the shortfall in minutes, and because the pitch condition arguably invalidated fairness in those final minutes.