The SPFL have been branded “disrespectful” by the chairman of Stenhousemuir after they scheduled the first Rangers Celtic Old Firm match of the season on the same weekend the lower leagues start.
The SPFL have come under fire from Rangers fans and certain members of the press for moving this season’s first Old Firm match as far back as possible to accommodate Celtic’s wishes.
Neil Lennon pleaded with the executive to move the match to accommodate fans and got his wish with the game set to be played on the latest possible date in the first round of matches.
The first Old Firm game of the season is set to take place on October 17th – the same weekend when the Scottish lower leagues return.
Stenhousemuir chairman Iain McMenemy has blasted the SPFL and accused them of “overshadowing” the lower leagues returning with the match.
“I found the decision disrespectful to the other leagues,” said McMenemy [BBC Scotland].
“We have a chance to re-engage and reach out to fans with all 30 clubs in the Championship, League One and Two all getting together, starting on the same day and having our own ‘Super Saturday.’
“Then unfortunately somebody at Hampden says, ‘Hang on, hold my beer, I’ll schedule the Old Firm game on that day and completely overshadow it’.
“In the lower leagues we need to convince fans to come back in to our grounds.
“We need to tell people that it’s safe, show people what it’s all about.
“They [the SPFL] have a computer system but they also plug in some key dates that they have to avoid. It can’t just be fully automated.
“There was plenty of opportunity to go a week forward, a week back, really promote the Old Firm game in its own right on another weekend, but also give the other leagues the chance to promote their games as well.
“The marketing for that week will be all about that Old Firm clash.”
Does an executive with the best interests of the entire game deliberately schedule the country’s biggest match the same weekend 30 clubs kick off their seasons?
