Sunday’s football fixtures across Belgium and the Netherlands and the horse racing at Exeter have been called off because of Storm Ciara.
The Dutch Eredivisie, the Belgian Pro League and the Belgian second tier have postponed their fixtures.
A statement from KNVB, the Dutch football body, read: “It is irresponsible to play football in those weather conditions.”
Race meetings at Southwell and Punchestown may go ahead on Sunday.
“Wind speeds have reached unacceptable miles per hour gusts this morning and our localised forecast predicts this to continue for the remainder of today, affecting our racing operation, public safety and grandstand areas,” said an Exeter spokesperson.
The Eredivisie is yet to announce when the cancelled games will be played.
However, the Belgian Pro League and Proximus League announced the fixtures have been rescheduled for Wednesday and Thursday night next week.
The KNVB statement added: “The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute has announced Code Orange for the entire country on Sunday due to the approaching Storm Ciara.
“The storm is expected to increase in strength as the day progresses, rising to gusts of wind with a force of 120 kilometres per hour. It has been decided to remove the games from the programme.”
Dutch champions Ajax are among the sides to have fixtures postponed, while Alan Pardew’s ADO Den Haag have also seen their trip to Sparta Rotterdam called off.
Full list of cancelled fixtures:
FOOTBALL
Dutch Eredivisie:
FC Utrecht v Ajax
AZ Alkmaar v Feyenoord
Sparta Rotterdam v ADO Den Haag
FC Emmen v FC Twente
Belgian Pro League:
Standard Liege v Club Brugges
Royal Antwerp v KRC Genk
Waasland-Beveren v KV Kortrijk
Belgian Proximus League:
Westerlo v Lokeren
HORSE RACING
Exeter, Sunday
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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