Fixture FARCE as marathon talks with TV bosses ensure league chiefs are...

[ian1964 10,582]

..."NOWHERE NEAR" revealing post-split matches.

 

HAMPDEN source admits it’s an "embarrassment" as broadcasters and cops fail to come to an agreement – and season could creep into JUNE!.

 

SCOTTISH leagues bosses are locked in marathon talks with broadcasters and cops after failing to agree on the post-split top-flight fixtures.

 

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster had expected to announce the dates of all matches in this season’s climax this afternoon.

 

But, despite spending the past two days in negotiations with the bosses of Sky TV and BT Sport as well as Police Scotland, no agreement was even close to being reached by close of business.

 

It is now hoped a solution can be found today as Doncaster battles against the clock to rubber-stamp the run-in.

 

A source close to the talks told Record Sport: “To say this process is proving incredibly difficult would be something of an understatement.

 

"It’s not just a case of two rival broadcasters arguing over who gets the best live games and when, but it’s also further complicated by the requirements of the police.

 

“At this moment in time it’s fair to say we are nowhere near reaching an agreement.

 

"People will obviously describe this an embarrassment which it is but it’s also a highly-complicated situation. On top of everything else there is an imbalance in this year’s fixtures which has been thrown up because Hamilton did not make the top six.

 

“As a result of this, difficult decisions have to be made and it’s going to be impossible to keep everyone happy. When anyone is asked to play away from home three times in one season against the same club it becomes problematic. But these are the issues which arise from having the split and they have to be dealt with.”

 

The talks have been further complicated by the possibility of either Falkirk or Hibs - who face each other in Saturday’s Scottish Cup semi final - also reaching the final promotion play-off for place in next season’s Premiership. Such a scenario would force the SPFL to extend the season into June.

 

It is likely that, even if the post split fixtures are announced tomorrow, a definitive date for the play-off final will be held back until next week at the earliest.

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fixture-farce-marathon-talks-tv-5519398

[ian1964 10,582]

Surely they can't extend the league season?

[RANGERRAB 3,390]

Surely they can't extend the league season?

 

No no they can't. Sporting integrity rules come into effect do they not? Anyway some teams go on Japanese tours IIRC.

Seriously though I hope Hibz get to the SC final and end up playing on the Thursday night(less than 48 hrs before the saturday) just like we did in 2008.See how they like that & whatever play-off games they get which must not be moved to accommodate the SC.If they get a fixture pile-up then GOOD.

I presume our interim chairman is watching this with interest

Edited April 14, 2015 by RANGERRAB

[rbr 1,254]

Why is anyone surprised at this , the sooper dooper spfl couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery and have been a farce since day one

[RANGERRAB 3,390]

Why is anyone surprised at this , the sooper dooper spfl couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery and have been a farce since day one

 

They're so useless they haven't taken into account teams in the SC could be in play-offs

[rbr 1,254]

That's called arrogance , RAB

[barca72 440]

Apart from Liewell, who else is in a position to relieve the Scottish football public from having to suffer the efforts of this numptie Doncaster?

[RANGERRAB 3,390]

That's called arrogance , RAB

 

You're absoultely correct

[RANGERRAB 3,390]

Apart from Liewell, who else is in a position to relieve the Scottish football public from having to suffer the efforts of this numptie Doncaster?

 

No one will dare do anything.

Dumbcaster is Liewell's man in the SPFL. Rhegan is Liewell's man in the SFA.

Until we get representation again in Scottish football that won't change

[Zappa 0]

One of the biggest farces of all is the fact that the SFA, SPL & SFL supposedly 'reconstructed' the Scottish football leagues and somehow managed to retain almost exactly the same structure including this ridiculous end of season split system in the top tier.

 

The whole thinking and mindset behind the so-called reconstruction should've been called into question in a big way because not only does none of it make any sense, but it clearly went against what they knew the fans wanted and that was a remarkable thing to do after they had just handed the decision making process on the SPL membership of Rangers to the fans of our opposition SPL clubs.

 

Neil Doncaster and Stewart Regan shouldn't even still be in their jobs after the numerous farces (and overall farce) they've coordinated and overseen these past few seasons.