Doncaster Rovers denied permission to train at Keepmoat

Doncaster Rovers share the Keepmoat Stadium with The Dons rugby league

Doncaster Rovers have been refused permission to train on their home pitch before this weekend's Championship match against Cardiff City.

The ban was imposed by the Stadium Management Company (SMC) which runs the town's Keepmoat Stadium.

The club were told if their players were to train there it would not be fair to the Doncaster rugby league club who also play at the stadium.

Rovers said the decision was "bizarre and unhelpful". SMC made no comment.

'Vital game'

The rugby league club have told Rovers they do not have a problem with them training on the pitch before their match on Sunday.

Rovers, who also have a training ground at Cantley Park, said their players had trained on the Keepmoat pitch "on numerous occasions" earlier this season.

Doncaster Rovers chairman John Ryan said: "I simply cannot believe it, it has never been a problem before so why is it a problem now?

"We pay them around £1m in rent each year, we are the main tenants. This is a vital game for us, we have to make home advantage count."

On the club's website, Doncaster Rovers chief executive Dave Morris said: "I think this shows that the people who run this stadium are not concerned with the key partners within it and do not understand how important this could be."

The Stadium Management Company said nobody was available to comment on Tuesday.