A ROW has erupted after it was confirmed the second Old Firm match of the season will be held on Hogmanay for the first time in the fixture's 126-year history.
The football governing body the Scottish Professional Football League has confirmed that the Saturday Rangers v Celtic, kick off will move from 3pm to a 12.15pm start.
There is concern in some quarters that this will mean some fans getting ready for parties to bring in the new year will have an excuse to start drinking earlier, at a time when there is a strain on emergency services.
There had been calls for the game at Ibrox to be moved to a different date, but Scottish football chiefs have confirmed that it will take place on the original date but with a 12.15pm start for the live TV coverage.
A programme of English Premier League fixtures is also expected for Hogmanay, although the times of televised games is yet to be announced.
Read more: Tories brand Old Firm Hogmanay match scheduling 'baffling'
The Old Firm decision was made following consultation with broadcasters and Police Scotland.
Paul Waterson, who is chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, the biggest representative body for publicans in Scotland said it was wrong to stick to Hogmanay.
"The date should have been changed," he said. "I don't see the point of having the game on Hogmanay or at that time when services are stretched anyway.
"It makes a busy day not just for pubs, but emergency services, that bit busier.
Read more: Tories brand Old Firm Hogmanay match scheduling 'baffling'
"If the game is early, then drinking all day, come seven or eight o'clock at night you tend to find there can be some alcohol-related problems."
Scottish Police Federation general secretary Calum Steele described the decision as "incomprehensible".
He said: "There are many reasons why the decision to hold an Old Firm match on Hogmanay is very hard to understand.
"The emergency services will be overstretched and I feel it will be a very long and uncomfortable night for thousands of police officers."
Read more: Tories brand Old Firm Hogmanay match scheduling 'baffling'
But assistant chief constable Bernard Higgins, the force's strategic lead on football, defended the decision, saying it was the best option to "minimise the wider community impact".
He said: "The time and date of the next Old Firm fixture was decided after discussions between ourselves, football authorities and broadcasters.
"We believe this is the best option in terms of the needs of the interested parties and minimising the wider community impact.
Read more: Tories brand Old Firm Hogmanay match scheduling 'baffling'
"Planning has already started in terms of the policing of the fixture and again will involve a multi-agency partnership approach."
One arrest was made at the first Old Firm match of the season on Saturday 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.
Offensive banners and sectarian songs were also widely condemned.
Police have said they are continuing to investigate.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Scheduling of the Old Firm game is a matter for SPFL, in consultation with Police Scotland."
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