Falkirk protest at fixtures move

Falkirk have urged the Scottish Professional Football League to reverse its decision to move all the final Ladbrokes Championship fixtures.

The SPFL announced on Monday that all five games would be moved from Saturday to a Sunday 12.30pm kick-off after BT Sport elected to show Rangers’ trip to play St Mirren.

Both Rangers and St Mirren are likely to have nothing to play for that day but, with the Ibrox club yet to clinch the title when the announcement was made, and with the Buddies still not safe from a relegation play-off, all matches were moved to ensure no teams have an advantage.

However, Falkirk said they were “protesting the decision”.

Chairman Doug Henderson said: “The reality is that none of the teams competing for the play-offs would be disadvantaged by allowing their games to take place on the Saturday.

“This decision is inconsiderate of our fans, not only because of the switch to a less convenient day, but also because end-of season supporters’ events have been planned for the Saturday.

“Clubs will lose out considerably at the gates and through the loss of hospitality.”

Falkirk host Morton on the final day and could still be in a race with Hibernian for second spot, which means later entry into the promotion play-offs.

The club said they had approached Raith Rovers chief executive Eric Drysdale, who sits on the SPFL board, and asked him to press the SPFL for a change.

The final matches are now due to be played on May 1, three days before the play-offs begin.