Aberdeen FC could face sanctions following a blackout which resulted in players and fans being left in the dark and an SPFL fixture being abandoned.
Last night, the Pittodrie club confirmed work to install a new transformer at their home ground was underway after a power outage forced the abandonment of Tuesday’s match.
The Dons were only seven minutes into their match against Motherwell in the Granite City when back-up generators failed just before 8pm, cutting power to the flood lights.
Both sets of players returned to the pitch at 8.10pm, but the power cut out once again and the game was called off.
The generators had been brought in to allow games to continue at Pittodrie, after issues with an ageing transformer led to a power outage just hours before a charity fundraising concert earlier this month.
The SPFL could now sanction the club, following the power failure, but such measures are unlikely when an organisation has done everything in its power to avoid such an incident.
An SPFL spokesman responded that the body would have to wait for the match delegate’s report before deciding on whether any action would be implemented. Such reports are standard after every league match.
Last night, an Aberdeen spokesman stated the club would submit a report on the events surrounding the aborted encounter to the SPFL.
He added: “It was the back-up generator that tripped twice, but we are still trying to find out why. We are discussing and investigating it with various technical people.
“The essential maintenance is getting carried out overnight, which was always the plan to get the new transformer in.”
Lynne Tracy of the Banchory Reds Dons supporters group said they had spent a three-figure sum on hiring a bus to the game.
She said the group had been left “frustrated” by Tuesday’s surreal scenes.
Mrs Tracy said: “It is one of those things. I do think, in this day and age, Pittodrie should really have back-up if something goes wrong.
“Our supporters club are having to pay for the bus last night, and we are going to have to pay for it again [when the fixture is re-scheduled].”
Kevin Craig, secretary of the Dufftown and District Dons supporters group, travelled 52 miles to watch the truncated proceedings with two friends, but said he felt most for the Motherwell fans, who had to undergo a five-hour round trip.
He added: “I think it was just one of those things. Circumstances were outwith anybody’s control. It is a pain, it means we’ll have to go back. One of my mates took a day off.
“To be honest we go all the time, we’ll be up in Dingwall this Saturday, it is just what we do.”
