YORK City Knights are waiting to find out if they will be given the points for today’s fixture at Rochdale, or if the game will be rearranged.

The Betfred Championship match, having initially been delayed, was called off just after the scheduled 3pm kick-off time due to “health and safety concerns” caused by high winds.

Both teams had been kitted out and were waiting to warm-up, but the covers on the pitch were still on and neither set of rugby posts at either end had been put up.

Fans had not been allowed into the stands, with a big York following of several hundred waiting outside and in the bar at the ground.

A Rugby Football League spokesman said: “This is clearly an unhappy and unusual situation, when a game is called off at such short notice and when spectators, including visiting spectators, are already at the ground.

“We will be looking into the circumstances as a matter of urgency.”

The spokesman added that “all eventualities” would be considered. The Press understands these include a points forfeit for the home club and a rearrangement.

Rochdale already have one game to catch up on after their opening fixture of the season, at home to Dewsbury Rams, was postponed due to snow.

The Hornets share the Spotland Stadium – now called the Crown Oil Arena for sponsorship purposes - with its owners, the League One football club Rochdale FC, who beat Shrewsbury 2-1 at the ground on Saturday. The football club also have a home game on Tuesday night.

The covers had gone on the pitch after Saturday’s game due to the forecast heavy rains and winds. The posts cannot go up when the covers are on.

A statement issed by the Hornets at 3.22pm said: "Today's scheduled fixture against York City Knights has been cancelled due to safety concerns.

"Due to adverse weather and high winds, the ground staff have been unable to remove pitch covers and erect rugby posts in a safe manner.

"Rochdale Hornets have worked closely with ground staff and an external contractor exploring all possibilities to allow the game to take place which included delaying the kick off in the hope we would have a window where the sheets could be removed and posts could be erected safely."

Hornets chief executive Steve Kerr said: “Whilst we are extremely disappointed and frustrated by this situation the safety of all staff in the stadium is paramount.

“We will work hard over the coming days with Rochdale AFC, the stadium company and the Rugby Football League to come to a solution on this and rearrange the fixture.

“Finally I would like to apologise to both sets of players, staff and all supporters who have travelled far and wide to support their teams.

“I would especially like to extend my apologies to the large number of York City Knights supporters who have travelled today.”

The match commissioner, Pat Cluskey, said health and safety concerns had to "come first".

Match officials and club coaches had been in discussions on the pitch prior to the call-off. Both teams had wanted the game to go ahead.

The call-off denied the Knights the chance to go joint top of the Championship following leaders Toronto Wolfpack's shock hammering at Toulouse Olympique on Saturday.

Knights head coach James Ford said: "I'm obviously really disappointed that the game was not on. I spoke to the Rochdale staff as well and they're disappointed too."