Partick Thistle to meet with SPFL over fixture gripe

Partick Thistle retain hope of securing compensation from the Scottish Professional Football League after a meeting was scheduled to discuss their fixture complaint.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Jun 2016, 12:34 BST
Updated 27th Jun 2016, 13:38 BST

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The Firhill club thought the fixture list was unfair due to the lack of Old Firm games they were given at home. Picture: SNSThe Firhill club thought the fixture list was unfair due to the lack of Old Firm games they were given at home. Picture: SNS
The Firhill club thought the fixture list was unfair due to the lack of Old Firm games they were given at home. Picture: SNS

The SPFL is understood to have rejected calls to change the Ladbrokes Premiership fixture list after Thistle and Motherwell reacted angrily to an unexpected imbalance of home Old Firm fixtures.

Both teams and Hamilton only have one home game against both Celtic and Rangers before the league splits while Inverness, Hearts and Dundee each have four in total.

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A Thistle statement read: “Contrary to press reports suggesting the SPFL has already decided there will be no compensation or fixtures changed, Thistle has secured a meeting with the SPFL this week to discuss the situation in more detail.

“We are also in touch with the other clubs in the league and will be arranging to meet them at a separate time.

“We recognise that changing the fixture list now would be disruptive to fans. Reluctantly, we accept that there will be a sporting disadvantage in the coming season. However, we will press the SPFL to show how it intends to avoid this recurring in future.

“As fixtures can’t be changed, the question of compensation remains live for clubs affected. We look forward to a positive and robust exchange of views on this matter at the meeting.

“The board hopes that, despite media comment suggesting otherwise, the SPFL would not have agreed to a meeting if minds have already been made up on this important matter.”

Top-flight clubs were handed three home Old Firm fixtures each before Rangers went into liquidation in 2012 but the newly-promoted Ibrox club have effectively replaced relegated Dundee United in this season’s fixture list.

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Related topics:Partick ThistleSPFLRangersOld FirmDundeeMotherwellPremiership