THE SFA has hit back at Holyrood's Health and Sports committee after MSPs on the cross-party group criticised the late cup final kick-off time. 

Ian Maxwell, the governing body’s chief executive, said they had a responsibility to make sure the flagship game reached as wide an audience as possible and keeping the match start time at 3pm would result in the game being shunned by broadcasters. 

Both Celtic and Inverness Caledonian Thistle initially expressed their disappointment at the decision. Fans of the Highland club, in particular, were worried about a lack of public transport after the game. 

READ MORE: Scottish Cup final kick-off re-think urged by Highland MP

In her letter to Mr Maxwell, Claire Haughey, who chairs the Scottish Parliament's cross-party Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, said MSPs have had “numerous representations” about the SFA’s “regrettable decision to move the kick-off time of the Scottish Cup Final on Saturday 3 June from the traditional time of 3pm to 5.30pm.”

She added: “As I am sure you will already be aware, this change of kick-off time has caused considerable disruption to those travelling fans who had already made travel arrangements prior to it being announced.

“Alongside the safety implications of a later kick-off time, there is also a concern that the decision sets a dangerous precedent for other major sporting events in Scotland and will be no less disruptive to the viewing public.

“On this basis, I would urge the SFA to reconsider its decision and to reinstate the traditional kick-off time of 3pm for this year’s Scottish Cup Final.”

READ MORE: Celtic slam Scottish Cup final kick-off time change

The MSP also asked the football bosses to give the Committee “an understanding of the reasons behind the SFA’s decision to change the kick-off time and, in reaching that decision, to outline any prior discussions you have had with Scottish Government Ministers, with transport service providers and with fan associations to ensure any associated disruption to individual travel plans would be kept to an acceptable minimum.”

Ms Haughey says if the original kick-off time cannot be reinstated, the SFA should set out the further steps they will be taking “to ensure the safety of all those attending the match, including adequate transport provision to enable travelling fans to return home safely afterwards, most notably those who will be travelling considerable distances.”

Responding to the politician's letter, Mr Maxwell said the association needed to "reach as wide an audience as possible, both in terms of capacity attendance at Hampden Park and television viewers nationally and internationally."

He added: "To that end, we had to consider a number of factors when the FA Cup was moved from a later kick-off to 3pm.

"Confirming a ‘traditional’ kick-off of 3pm would result in a scheduling conflict between the Scottish Cup final, FA Cup Final and UEFA Women’s Champions League Final.

"BBC Scotland, who will broadcast the final along with Viaplay, confirmed that they would not be able to permit a BBC One UK-wide broadcast, which would greatly diminish the visibility of Scottish football’s showpiece occasion.

"During discussions with Inverness, it was clear an earlier kick-off of 12.15 would not be conducive to maximising their supporters’ enjoyment of the day and would also present public transport issues.

"The club’s preference was for a later kick– off. A 5.30pm kick-off will ensure a sold-out stadium and prime Saturday evening television that affords the widest-possible television audience."

The SFA boss said, "arrangements have been made with bus providers to ensure all fans travelling from Inverness will be able to access return transport from Hampden Park."