The SPFL have earlier today announced that the forthcoming Cinch Championship fixture between Dundee Utd and Arbroath, due to take place on Saturday 28th October will now be scheduled for Friday, 27th October at 7.45 pm.
Dundee United have requested this change of date and time so that they can celebrate the Centenary of Dundee Hibernian FC becoming Dundee Utd FC.
Arbroath FC Board of Directors carefully considered this request, however due to the majority of the Club’s Players having to work on a Friday in their ‘day’ jobs, playing on the Friday evening has a negative impact on Team/Player pre match preparation and thus places the Club at a significant sporting disadvantage. In addition, the Club also advised the SPFL that changing the game to the Friday evening would cause inconvenience to our Supporters many of whom travel a distance to watch the Team playing.
Accordingly, Arbroath FC objected to the change however the SPFL advised that they were to agree the request from Dundee United.
The Club then made further detailed representations objecting to this decision basing our position on the negative impact this change would have on the Club’s preparations and the unfairness of the decision in respect of Arbroath FC, in terms of sporting integrity and disadvantage.
Despite the Club’s objections the SPFL have agreed to Dundee United’s request for a change of date.
This is not the outcome that Arbroath FC anticipated as it is the view of the Club’s Directors that the commercialism surrounding this ‘Centenary’ event has overtaken sporting fairness and the integrity of the Cinch Championship competition.
