GIVEN the problems with this season's fixture scheduling, it was perhaps inevitable that the SSE Scottish Women's Cup final would also become embroiled in controversy.
Originally scheduled for November 19, it was put back a week as one of a number of changes to the second half of the season. This was because no provision had been made for the Scotland Under-19 side reaching their Euro finals.
Glasgow City wanted the revised November 26 date switched again because it falls in the middle of Fifa international dates. The Republic of Ireland have a World Cup qualifier against Euro champions Holland on November 28 and the Scottish champions have four Irish players and one of them, Katie McCabe, looks certain to miss the showpiece final as she is Ireland's captain. Up to three others – Savannah McCarthy, Keeva Keenan and Noelle Murray – could also be picked for Ireland and miss the final too, though based on Colin Bell's recent squads that is less likely.
City claim they were unaware until near the end of last month that the final had been rescheduled on an international date. When their request to the SWF board for a change was turned down on Monday, the club were told they had five days to appeal to the Scottish FA.
Except it emerged this was inaccurate. The final against Hibernian will therefore go ahead as planned at Livingston three weeks today.
It's a mess, but where the blame lies is less easy to determine. One view is that it's inconceivable Glasgow City didn't become aware until October 26 that the final was scheduled for an international window.
If the club did know, this argument continues, why did they wait until contracts had been signed with Livingston and BBC Alba - who are screening the final live - before raising their concerns?
City are adamant they weren't aware of the problem until less than a fortnight ago. Further, they can't understand why such an important game could have been scheduled for an international date in the first place.
It is no secret they have four Irish players – even if McCabe was signed on loan from Arsenal after the fixtures were rescheduled in July. But no matter who is to blame, for any club to be forced to contest a Scottish Cup final without a key player, or players, is unfortunate to say the least.
THIS row is not the only issue affecting the women's cup final. It is being held on the same afternoon as the men's League Cup final between Motherwell and Celtic.
Again, this is a consequence of the Scottish Cup date having had to be put back a week. It may be the case that the two games appeal to different audiences, but even so it is far from ideal.
There is another cause for concern. The Scottish Cup final is going to kick off at 4.10pm at a ground which isn't in one of our big cities and is difficult to access by public transport.
As with last year's final at Hamilton, it is going to start after any available sunlight and warmth has disappeared.
The kick-off time is at the behest of BBC Alba. The television station is a great supporter of women's football – but is their scheduling more important than the comfort and convenience of fans who could have watched a game played entirely in daylight?
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