THE SCOTTISH football league's governing body has been criticised for failing to take into account the impact on Scotland in rejecting a call for the second Old Firm match of the season to be switched from New Year's Eve.
Scottish Professional Football League chief executive Neil Doncaster knocked back a request for the Hogmanay match to be moved, and revealed it was brought forward following a request from TV broadcasters.
The country's biggest representative body for publicans described Mr Doncaster's response to their call as "curt" after they warned the Old Firm match will blow the concept of a family-friendly Hogmanay "out of the water".
Mr Doncaster admitted that the decision to move the Rangers v Celtic game on Hogmanay to 12.15pm followed a request by Sky Sports, as matches at cannot be televised live at 3pm on Saturdays.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association had said the decision for the first ever Hogmanay Old Firm derby by the SPFL flew in the face of the Glasgow Loves Hogmany concept brought in by the city council as it halted the traditional party in George Square in favour of family-friendly events.
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The SLTA said the decision has "condemned the city of Glasgow to a Hogmanay of concern and uncertainty".
It wanted the first Hogmany fixture in the Old Firm's 126-year history to be moved to January 2 or 3 "when all those involved can be focussed on controlling fans before, during and after this often volatile game".
But Mr Doncaster told the SLTA that the first festive Old Firm clash since 2011 "will proceed as scheduled" on Hogmanay.
He told the SLTA in a letter: "It is not clear to me why you are raising your concerns with us only now rather than in June, this year.
"The bringing forward of the fixture by two-and-three-quarter hours has been made in consultation and agreement with Police Scotland as has been custom and practice for almost 20 years, following a request from Sky Sports that the fixture may be broadcast live.
"It is not possible to live broadcast matches within the UK at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon due to UEFA regulations.
"All due process was undertaken before the change was announced including full engagement with Police Scotland."
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Paul Waterson, chief executive of the SLTA said they still hoped that the authorities will show some "common sense" over the scheduling.
And he said that no formal representation had been made by the SLTA earlier because nobody believed the game would go ahead on Hogmanay.
The SLTA criticised the response saying: "Despite highlighting a number of our concerns, the only show of concern from Mr. Doncaster was directed at the timing of the SLTA’s complaint, rather than the possible impact this fixture could have on Glasgow, its residents and businesses and in fact the rest of the country."
The group said that it was "unbelievable" that the fixture date was reportedly chosen by a firm's computer in the USA, an allegation denied by the SPFL.
"Does a computer have information on the history of the volatility of fixtures between Rangers and Celtic and the social impact such fixtures bring," the SLTA said.
The group said it was "absolute nonsense" for police to suggest that the an early kick off limits the potential for over-consumption of alcohol which can help to reduced anti-social behaviour or violence.
"The earlier the game the more likelihood there is of increasing over consumption of alcohol," warned the SLTA.
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"Fans going to the game, no matter what the time of the kick off, will be less likely to be under the influence to ensure they get into the ground. The more time after the game, the longer the opportunity to consume alcohol.
"All... comments from the SPFL and Police Scotland seemed to be focused on the game itself. "What about the impact on the citizens and businesses in Glasgow faced with the aftermath of the game."
Assistant chief constable Bernard Higgins, the force's strategic lead on football has defended the decision, saying it was the best option to "minimise the wider community impact".
Two arrests were made in the aftermath of first Old Firm match of the season over two weeks ago at Celtic Park.
But there was widespread concern about various incidents including the trashing of the Parkhead toilets and the hanging of two plastic effigies with hands tied behind their backs in the manner of an execution within the ground.
The SPFL has declined to comment.
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