Football Rules: Abandoned Matches
An abandonment is deemed to be where a match has been unable to play to completion and play halted, and not played out to conclusion on the same day.
An abandoned match can occur for a variety of reasons (though not exclusively); inclement weather and conditions, security/policing, power failures, crowd trouble etc.
In the instance where a match is abandoned, these principles will be applied in settling bets:
- If a winning selection in a specific market has been established before the match abandonment, bets will stand and settlement will occur as expected.
- If a winning selection for a specific market hasn't been established at the time of abandonment, all bets will be settled as void.
- A match that's interrupted (e.g. inclement weather), but then plays to a conclusion on the same day won't count as an abandonment and bets will be settled on the outcome at the end of the match.
- In the case of an abandonment, any subsequent replays/completions, award of the match result by governing bodies or pools panel decisions won't count toward settlement.
FAQs
Q: I placed a bet on 'Correct Score' 1-0 and the match was abandoned at 0-0 in the 75th minute. What happens to my bet?
A: Your bet is void because no winning selection could be achieved as the full duration of the match is needed for 'Correct Score' to be settled.
Q: I placed a bet in the 90 minutes market for the home side to win the match. The game was abandoned in the 75th minute with the score 1-0 - what happens to my bet?
A: Your bet, along with those on the 'Draw' and the 'Away' selections will be void.
Q: I placed a bet on Kevin De Bruyne to score the first goal which he did, but the match was abandoned minutes later. What happens to my bet?
A: Your bet will be settled as a winner, with bets on other players in the first goalscorer market being losing selections.
Q: If a game is abandoned in the 88th minute with the home side leading 2-0 what happens to my bet placed on the correct score 2-0?
A: As the game hadn't completed, all bets on 'Correct Score' market, along with other markets in which a winning selection hasn't been determined, will be void.