Hibernian face battle with lower league clubs over gate revenue...

[RANGERRAB 3,300]

It surely should be too late in the day to change the rules.

 

I don't think it is. Apparently there's an SPFL meeting a week tomorrow & this will get brought up

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Thought the exact same. Hopefully from our point of view it wont go as far as that but surely that favours them and not us?!

 

It favours us as we will know what's required. We might go in knowing a draw is enough or a 5 goal victory is required etc.

[chilledbear 16]

Statement from Hearts.

 

At 10.43am today, the club received notice from the SPFL that our last home game of the season v Rangers is to be moved to Sunday 3rd May at 12.30pm. This was the first notification of any change that we received.

 

This has been done following selection of the game for a live TV broadcast. While we all knew that this was likely to be a strong candidate for televising and that the time might well change, we did not for one minute think that at this late stage, it would be moved to the Sunday….especially given our belief that all Championship games would require to be played at the same time.

 

Previously in the season we delayed the sale of tickets for the first Rangers game as long as we could as we realised that this fixture was highly attractive to broadcasters and likely for selection. In relation to this game, we attempted to do the same but in this case, it would seem to no avail.

 

On learning of the change, I immediately attempted to contact the SPFL and objected in strong terms to the proposed late change to this fixture on the grounds of it having a total disregard for the interests of supporters of both clubs and an apparent disregard for sporting integrity. I also spoke directly to Police Scotland who share our frustration and informed me that they had written with some strong reasons for objecting to the changed fixture, including duplication of work for them, re-allocation of resources, etc. but once again, to no avail.

 

Being given 17 days’ notice of this change is extremely disruptive and potentially very expensive for the fans, the sponsors and indeed the club. Overseas supporters have been in touch to advise that they will lose substantial amounts on travel; others have advised of lost earnings, holiday problems, etc.

 

None of this is good for any of us and on behalf of the club, I can only apologise.

 

When it also became apparent to us that our fixture was the only game to be moved, we were equally alarmed as rightly or wrongly, this casts a shadow over the sporting integrity of the Championship. While it may not be enshrined in the newly merged rule book of the SPFL, it is protocol the football world over for fixtures such as the last day of the Championship to be played simultaneously. To move only one, (or even 2 or 4) out of 5 fixtures would seem to be leaving our game wide open to unsavoury accusations. I wrote, raising this point, to the SPFL, copying all clubs. Correspondence received from the SPFL asking Championship clubs to state their case for a move, does little to alleviate our concerns re the perception of this matter.

 

I will be sending in a formal complaint to the SPFL in relation to this appallingly late decision. It is no wonder that clubs are finding it harder and harder to gain support from their fans when their interests can be so blatantly disregarded, especially at such short notice.

 

I am advised that this complaint will likely have no impact on the original decision but nevertheless, I want our supporters to know that we have taken all and any action that we could have and I will further comment on the situation once we have been updated by the League.

 

Ann Budge

 

http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/news/4295

[BrahimHemdani 1]

Ms Budge is 100% correct and Rangers should support her letter of complaint.

 

In fact the clubs should just agree to play the game as originally scheduled and challenge the authorites to declare it null and void.

 

If Hibs and Rangers win all there remaining games the 2nd spot will not be decided till the last day and it's not mathematically impossible for QoS to be involved as well.

 

This would give Rangers a massive advantage knowing what, if anything, we have to do v Hearts; all the games should be moved or none should be moved as Ms Budge says.

[BrahimHemdani 1]

Thought the exact same. Hopefully from our point of view it wont go as far as that but surely that favours them and not us?!

 

No, it gives us a potentially massive advantage knowing what we have to do on the last day.

[BrahimHemdani 1]

It surely should be too late in the day to change the rules.

 

Hibs are out of order on this one; it was a package deal and the fact that it has worked out differently than imagined doesn't change that.

 

There should be no change for this season but the SPFL could say YES but from next season; then if Hibs are still in the Championship and win the League they will miss out again.

 

But they are correct on the change of dates.

[The Real PapaBear 0]

It favours us as we will know what's required. We might go in knowing a draw is enough or a 5 goal victory is required etc.

 

That's a fair point which I didn't consider. But in my defense, the thought of our lot being able to achieve a result 'on demand' is so unrealistic that I can probably be forgiven for failing to take it into account.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

That's a fair point which I didn't consider. But in my defense, the thought of our lot being able to achieve a result 'on demand' is so unrealistic that I can probably be forgiven for failing to take it into account.

 

Oh we will still make a mess of it but it should help if we were any good.

[The Real PapaBear 0]

The irony of this is that this fcuk up and the resultant humiliation for Scottish footbal is being orchestrated by the same cretins who are to decide whether Dave King is fit and proper.