SPFL to meet Inverness Caledonian Thistle fans

The fans' body have been invited to meet with SPFL chiefs Neil Doncaster, pictured, and Iain Blair to discuss grievances. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The Caley Jags Together supporters’ group are furious at their club being ordered to play the showpiece clash with Hearts in Edinburgh at 12.15pm on Sunday, 2 February.

Now, though, the fans’ body have been invited to meet with SPFL chiefs Neil Doncaster and Iain Blair to discuss grievances. A date is yet to be fixed, but it is expected to be later this week.

Both the fans’ group and club officials were angered by the venue and timing chosen for their second successive last four meeting with Hearts. They feel it is unfair that the game will be played on Hearts’ doorstep for a second year running.

As things stand, supporters would also face a potentially hazardous winter morning journey to Easter Road, setting off in darkness. There are no public transport services available to take fans to the capital in time for a kick-off set by match broadcasters BBC.

David Balfour, chairman of Caley Jags Together, wrote to SPFL secretary Blair last week raising safety concerns and other grievances. He said: “Feelings are running high about this issue.

“These are coming not only from Inverness fans but from a good number of supporters at clubs elsewhere in Scotland and the UK. All we’ve got at the moment is an invitation from Mr Blair to meet with him and Neil Doncaster at some point.

“That will now probably happen some time after the Norway game. We welcome the opportunity to put our grievances to them directly.

“We would hope they will be able to consider shifting the venue and kick-off time.”