SPL could be forced to scrap Old Firm New Year derby

[SteveJ 743]

The SPL could be forced to scrap the New Year Old Firm derby next season.

The league fixtures will be released on Friday and the traditional meeting between Rangers and Celtic, which takes place on January 1 or 2, looks set to played on a midweek evening in late December instead.

The move follows police advice in a bid to reduce the possibility of trouble surrounding the fixture.

SPL secretary Iain Blair said the police and Scottish Government have been working closely with them.

"The police and government’s view is a midweek Old Firm derby is easier for them to deal with compared to the challenges presented by bank holidays, such as January 2,” he told the Sunday Mail.

"Wednesday 28 is a working day, as is Thursday 29, so let's see what happens.

"While the crowd situation at the actual games has been very good in recent years, their view is that what happens at the stadium has an effect on various parts around Scotland, excessive drinking etc, and the problems created.

"If there are things we can do that would minimise those opportunities, then we will look at them."

Source: http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/256742-spl-could-be-forced-to-scrap-old-firm-new-year-derby/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

What a load of pish!

[Gaz52 11,837]

Funny how it was a midweek fixture that was the shame game last season

[markybear 136]

Sapping the fun and tradition out of the game

[fog 289]

Funny how it was a midweek fixture that was the shame game last season

I've said this.

[blueben_d 40]

I actually think this would make things worse

[Glasgow Is Blue 0]

Wasn't it played on the 27th in 2008 anyway?

[Dexter25 2]

Funny how it was a midweek fixture that was the shame game last season

It's unbelievable that this fact is continually ignored.

[Jordo 33]

This year there was no trouble at the New Year OF, yet in a midweek one, there was summits called for. Laughable

[.Williamson. 82,177]

I actually enjoy night games more than afternoon ones. They're also giving the chance for fans to drink more beforehand now.

[Jimfanciesthedude 24,540]

Funny how it was a midweek fixture that was the shame game last season

aye they never fucking learn

most fans take a half day or a holiday, or even just start bevvying at 5pm right after work, and then by 8pm are all fucking bladdered

but a half 12 kick off means most fans dont bother their arses bevvying until AFTER the game

[delparlane 5,659]

Terrible news. :disappointment:

[delamonty 992]

F*ck the police. And I mean that.

All over the world. You put a uniform on ill educated dumbasses. This will be what you get.

[GOAT 30,449]

Haha, midweek fixtures are always the ones where it's more likely to kick off IMO.

[stampyurie 203]

It doesnt matter when the play it, most off the time you would take the day off work after an old firm game regardless of it played on a sunday afternoon or a wednesday nite

[BILL.I.AM 18]

A get 2 weeks off over crimbo and new year anyway so fuck u plod

[gogzy 31,195]

their view is that what happens at the stadium has an effect on various parts around Scotland, excessive drinking etc, and the problems created.

why not just ban new years altogether, just to reduce the excessive drinking ect.

what a load of bollocks, absolute nonsense.

[gazza27 15,283]

I actually enjoy night games more than afternoon ones. They're also giving the chance for fans to drink more beforehand now.

exactly.

[Gazzalivesforever 1,987]

Let's just play all Old Firm games at 9am on Monday mornings from now on!!

[johngossa 9]

the powers that be can do what they like , play it when they like , ban away fans , ban all fans , not broadcast it , but the aftermath will happen if they played it on xmas day , boxing day or fucking pancake day

[caseyjones 3,009]

Good news. I much prefer night games as the atmosphere improves. It also allows for a lot more drinking time beforehand.

[BawdeepLoyal 94]

While the crowd situation at the actual games has been very good in recent years, their view is that what happens at the stadium has an effect on various parts around Scotland, excessive drinking etc, and the problems created.

So the people who go to football are well behaved but those that don't are screwballs, so they will penalise those who go and are good law abiding citizens?

The folk charged with supposedly "looking after" the population are retarded, and that is proof. Combine that with the fact already pointed out that the problem game was mid-week, and not the weekend, you have evidence that its got nothing to do with problems/violence, its all about budget and saving cash.

Wanks the lot of them.

[King Jela 20,361]

Midweek games are much better, surely they know that ? I mean, how fucking thick can they possibly be ?

[KingKirk 25,633]

Do the police not get this. The people that want to cause trouble after old-firm games will do it no matter when it is played. I also take 3 weeks off of work at xmas and new year time anyway. I'am sure I can fit an OF party in.

[KingKirk 25,633]

While the crowd situation at the actual games has been very good in recent years, their view is that what happens at the stadium has an effect on various parts around Scotland, excessive drinking etc, and the problems created.

So the people who go to football are well behaved but those that don't are screwballs, so they will penalise those who go and are good law abiding citizens?

The folk charged with supposedly "looking after" the population are retarded, and that is proof. Combine that with the fact already pointed out that the problem game was mid-week, and not the weekend, you have evidence that its got nothing to do with problems/violence, its all about budget and saving cash.

Wanks the lot of them.

Yip that the way of the world now mate, this will blow up in their faces mate, Look at this years "Shame game" and the game a few year ago when the players were fighting at the final whistle, Both under the floodlights that in it's own will add to the atmosphere.

Also Is this years game not due to be played at parkhead again. let the fun and games begin. The SFA/SPL/Police can't help themselves at times.

[Boab 73]

By JOHN SHIELDS

Published: Today

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The Old Firm New Year game is in danger of being scrapped.

Police and Government officials would prefer to play Celtic's game against Rangers at Parkhead in midweek during December.

Next season's SPL schedule is published on Friday - and Wednesday, December 28, looks to be the favourite date SPL secretary Ian Blair said: "We have been working with police and Government. Their view is a midweek derby is easier for them to deal with.

"Wednesday, December 28, is a working day, as is the following day, so let's see what happens.

"While the crowd situation at the actual games has been very good in recent years, their view is that what happens at the stadium has an effect on various parts around Scotland, with excessive drinking and the problems created. If there are things we can do that would minimise opportunities, then, of course, we will look at them."

Authorities were shocked last season after the Scottish Cup replay at Parkhead on March 2 when three Ibrox players - Steven Whittaker, Madjid Bougherra and El Hadji Diouf - were sent off during an explosive clash won by the Hoops with a Mark Wilson goal.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon and Walter Smith's No 2 Ally McCoist also got caught up in the heat of the moment.

Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3633154/Old-Firm-game-in-midweek.html#ixzz1PCODOJFP