Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston refutes Karl Robinson's postponement claims

Following today’s postponement, the Addicks manager was left angered by claims that Charlton wanted the game to be called off.

Referee Carl Boyeson called today’s League One encounter at Bloomfield Road off just an hour before kick-off after deeming the pitch unplayable due to heavy rain.

It was claimed Karl Oyston said Charlton, who were looking for their fourth successive win, wanted the game postponed.

“We’re fuming," Robinson said. "We’ve heard reports from certain idiots that we didn’t want this game on.

“We asked to play 4pm, 5pm and then 1pm on Sunday.

“So if their chairman wants to say we didn’t want to play, we need to have a conversation me and him because we wanted to play.

“I’m not having that about my players because we were here and ready to play. Blackpool were ready to play.”

In response, Oyston said: “I was disappointed to read quotes attributed to the Charlton Athletic manager Karl Robinson in relation to the postponement of this afternoon’s match.

“At no point did I comment on or discuss Charlton’s willingness to play the fixture, and I fully respect the referee’s decision to call the game off on the grounds of player safety.

“I have since spoken to Karl and I look forward to his apology at the rearranged fixture.

“As soon as the initial 1.30pm pitch inspection was called, we had to put contingency plans in place as a club to allow tributes to our record appearance holder and vice-president Jimmy Armfield to go ahead as scheduled.

“Guided by the Armfield family, who were guests of the club this afternoon, we opened up the stadium for supporters and honoured a legend and gentleman in the best way possible.

“I would like to place on record my thanks to club staff, who acted swiftly to ensure such a poignant tribute went ahead, plus the respective teams and supporters for paying their respects in a manner befitting of Jimmy.”