A PLANE malfunction has meant Burnley have failed to make to Scotland on time in preparation for a Europa League qualifying tie against Aberdeen.

The English Premier League club having decided to train in Lancashire on Wednesday morning before Thursday's first leg match in Pittodrie were due to fly north mid-afternoon from Manchester Airport.

But their charter plane developed problems and take off was delayed.

It meant that an obligatory UEFA press conference scheduled for 5.45pm with captain Tom Heaton was put back an hour and then cancelled.

It means that Burnley, facing their first European match for more than 50 years could be in hot water with UEFA.

The Herald:

Regulations state that both clubs must be present in the host city the day before a game and must hold a press conference before 8pm.

It is understood Sean Dyche has offered to hold a press conference at Pittordrie at 11am on Thursday but it will be outside UEFA's timeframe.

The winner of the tie, with the return at Turf Moor on August 2, will face a significantly longer trip in the third qualifying round to play Istanbul Basaksehir, who finished third in the Turkish Super Lig last season.

Aberdeen have suffered travel issues of their own after a seagull flew into the engine of their aircraft and grounded flight to Latvia two years ago.

A Burnley spokesman said: “We have had severe delays on flight north, there have been technical difficulties with the aircraft.  

“That means the press conference has been cancelled and the players won’t go to Pittodrie to look at the stadium.

“The team were not going to be training at the stadium anyway but they were going to come for a look around."

It is understood that Burnley club secretary Matt Williams has been explaining the situation to UEFA officials.