Chelsea vs Real Madrid under threat as heavy rain and thunderstorms hit Michigan

The match is scheduled to start at 20:05 BST on Saturday evening

Jack de Menezes
Saturday 30 July 2016 18:00 BST
Comments
Chelsea are scheduled to face Real Madrid at the Michigan Stadium
Chelsea are scheduled to face Real Madrid at the Michigan Stadium (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Chelsea’s pre-season friendly against Real Madrid is under threat after heavy rain hit Michigan, leading to flash floods in the areas around the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

The Blues are due to play their second International Champions Cup match at 20:05 BST [15:05 ET]after beating Liverpool in their opening fixture.

However, storms are due to hit Michigan shortly before the match, and nearby areas are reporting over three inches of rainfall with two hours still to go until the match is scheduled to begin. It’s been reported that while the match is still scheduled to go ahead, any lightning in the area will lead to the encounter being abandoned.

Any cancellation would come as a second blow to the organisers of the International Champions Cup, Relevant Sports, after they were forced to cancel the Manchester derby between United and City in China last week due to an unplayable pitch at Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium.

On that occasion, heavy rain had battered the Chinese capital in the days leading up to the match, and recent repairs ended up being washed away to leave the surface severely damaged and in a dangerous condition.

Should Chelsea’s match against Real be cancelled, it will not be rescheduled.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in