CHIEF executive Peter Varney condemned the late decision to postpone Charlton’s Premier League match at Newcastle on Wednesday.

The game was called off just 25 minutes before kick off with more than 500 Addicks’ fans outside St James’ Park having made the 600-mile round trip.

Newcastle cited dangerous conditions in surrounding streets for the reason. It was the first time Charlton have had a match called off since the New Year’s Day game against West Ham at The Valley in 2003.

Mr Varney said: "You have to feel for the 500 or more fans who travelled a long way and are not going to see a game.

"They now have to return home through terrible weather and will be lucky to get home by 5am. It’s absolutely diabolical."

He added: "There was chaos outside the ground because the roads around the ground were so dangerous.

"I came in a car that was slipping all over the road. There were cars sliding into one another.

"There seems to have been no gritting undertaken at all, which is an absolute disgrace. I’m sure the police have played a part in the decision that’s been taken."

Referee Mike Dean, who inspected the pitch at 5.45pm was satisfied with its condition and at 6.30pm the club’s safety officer declared himself happy to let the game go ahead.

But at 7pm there was another heavy snowfall which put the game back in doubt.

Mr Dean explained: "The pitch was good and the ground staff did well in clearing it. But outside influences like road traffic safety were of a major concern and now we’ve all got to try and leave here in one piece.

"I know Charlton travelled a long way and have got to try and get home now but matters were taken out of my hands."

The postponement means that midfielder Danny Murphy, sent off in the Boxing Day defeat by Arsenal, must serve the suspension when West Ham visit The Valley on New Year’s Eve (kick off 1pm).