WASPS' Guinness Premiership match at Sale was sensationally called off tonight after the Wycombe-based outfit refused to play.

They got changed out of their kit and sat on their team bus, eating pizza while the supporters were still streaming into the ground.

Some Wasps players and coach Sean Edwards had left under their own steam before the match had even been abandoned.

They said the muddy, wet pitch was dangerous even though Sale wanted to play.

Referee David Rose also said the pitch was good to start, but he could not force Wasps to take the field.

Chaos reigned with players, officials and fans not knowing if the game was on - until it was finally announced to a chorous of boos that the game was off – 14 minutes after it should have started.

The officials did not put out an earlier announcement because they were still trying to persuade Wasps to play.

Sale's former England ace Ben Cohen said: “I think it is disgraceful. It is not a perfect pitch but it is not a dangerous one. The Wasps players I spoke to wanted to play and we certainly did, I think the decision came from higher up in the Wasps management. Im flabbergasted, I feel Wasps have called it off for tactical reasons.

“I've played on a helluva lot worse than that but rugby is not played on a cricket pitch or a bowling green.

“I think they have let the game of rugby down tonight.”

Sale's fans turned angry afterwards and demanded that Wasps should forefeit the game as they hurled abuse at the Wasps players on the bus.

Under fire Wasps coach Tony Hanks defended his club's stance and says the club refused to play on safety grounds.

He said: “We don't think the field is fit for play and that was our main concern. When it comes to scrummaging we don't think the surface is safe.

“It comes down to safety. We don't believe that for a professional game of rugby the surface was fit to play.

“No-one had informed us that the pitch was in a bad way until we turned up.

“I'm gutted for the fans but we're disappointed as well because we wanted to play.”

Sale fans were left demanding that Wasps forefeit the points but Wasps say they are within the rules.

Hanks said: “We got advice from the referee and asked him what the process was so as far as we are aware we have done the right process.”

Referee Rose said: "The situation is that Wasps didn't want to play the game because they felt the pitch was unsafe. "At that point my opinion doesn't count for anything - I cannot make any team take the field to play."

Premier Rugby issued a statement saying: "Following the cancellation of the Sale Sharks v London Wasps game this evening, we will be urgently requesting a full report from the referee."

Sale fan Martin Stead travelled 150 miles from Cleethorpes for the match.

He said: “It's disgusting. They didn't want to play. They were on the bus eating pizza before the game was abandoned and had no intention of playing. We have spent a lot of money getting here and Wasps should reimburse us.”