Frustrated Portsmouth rival lodges referee complaint with EFL after match is postponed

Meanwhile, the ‘furious’ Gas CEO has also criticised the Robins for refusing to rearrange the game for tomorrow, when higher temperatures are expected to replace the current cold snap.

The Memorial Stadium fixture was called off this morning at 11.45am following a pitch inspection.

It became the latest third-tier game to fall victim to the weather – including Pompey’s trip to Crewe – with five matches in total cancelled today.

Starnes, however, was adamant the game should have gone gone ahead.

And in registering his frustrations with the league’s governing body earlier, he called for the match official to be ‘sanctioned heavily for making an extremely poor decision’.

According to Bristol Live, the Rovers chief said: ‘I cannot understand why Leigh Doughty has called it off.

‘I registered a complaint with the EFL and I’ve spoken to the head of refereeing and asked them to send the referee back and get this game on today, and apparently it’s too late – they can’t do that.

‘I’ve asked for the game to be played tomorrow and apparently regulations are that unless Swindon agree, they can’t enforce the game to be played tomorrow.

‘I am absolutely furious with the referee, I think he needs to be sanctioned heavily for making an extremely poor decision to cancel this game.’

Swindon reportedly informed Rovers that they were unable to travel the 46 miles to Bristol tomorrow.

That means the Blues’ trip to the Memorial Stadium will be the Gas’ next game.

But before turning his attentions to that fixture, Starnes said it was unacceptable that a quick turnaround couldn’t be arranged, with all teams facing a hectic scheduled in the weeks to come.

He added: ‘The message from Swindon is they can’t get here for a game tomorrow and apparently the league can’t enforce it, which again I find unacceptable in the current circumstances.

‘The ground staff have worked extremely hard on the pitch this week and they’re devastated the game is off, because they think it’s a reflection on them.

‘I can assure them and our supporters that it’s not a reflection on them, because this game, categorically, should be played.

‘The covers went on straight after the game on Tuesday and they’ve been on until this morning.

‘It’s absolutely staggering that a decision has been made to call this game off.’

The Bristol Rovers v Pompey game is scheduled for 7pm on Tuesday.

Temperatures in the area are expected to climb to 13°C by Monday, before dropping to 11°C on Tuesday.