Aberdeen Told to Play the Game

It was clear to everyone that the SPL's decision last week would cause further requests from our European representatives. It could become standard practice that every club facing an important Uefa game will feel the need to plea for added preparation time. League schedules and fans' arrangements would be cast aside. Crowds would fall as league games are displaced from weekends to midweek.

The Motherwell board should be applauded for taking the principled stand that Gretna failed to defend. The SPL provides the bread and butter income for most of the clubs in the top flight and the fixture list should not be altered at short notice.

In any event, Aberdeen knew of the importance of their forthcoming fixture when they played their last Uefa Cup game on November 29. To wait until December 10 before asking for a change of date for a match scheduled for December 15 reflects badly on the Pittodrie club. At best they demonstrate a lack of organisation and at worst they demonstrate arrogance.

This is not the first time our friends from the north east have asked that Motherwell take a financial hit for their benefit. In January of this year they agreed to play a cup replay on a Thursday (in front of the $ky cameras). The prospect of an £80 000 windfall didn't stop them asking Motherwell to posptone our league game scheduled for the Saturday. We reckoned that move would cost £30 000 and declined. This provoked a rant from an outraged Jimmy Calderwood. (Greedy Dons Lose the Plot)

There is already chatter on some Dons' messageboards suggesting that they should boycott Fir park at the weekend though some posters point out that a five day gap between games should not have been reason to ask for a delay.

No doubt there will be more such disputes in this or subsequent seasons. The SPL made a big mistake in setting a precedent and they should think again.

Official Statement from Motherwell