SFA happy with Saturdays

Smith: Happy with Saturdays

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The Scottish FA has announced that it is unlikely that the national team will play home Euro 2012 qualifiers on Friday nights, despite changes to the international calendar.

Fifa has ratified plans to play internationals on Tuesday nights instead of Wednesday.

Individual associations will retain control over when they play the first part of a double-header but many could choose to switch to Fridays to maintain the four-day gap between games.

But Saturday afternoon will remain Scotland's preferred option for home matches, according to Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith.

"I would imagine Saturday internationals will continue for Scotland," said Smith.

"In most cases, that would suit us better. The police are not keen on Friday night matches, so we would have to talk to them about the possibility.

Compromise

"We have to take the fans into account as well. A lot travel to Glasgow and would probably prefer us not to play on a Friday."

Smith added: "It leaves us playing Saturday then Tuesday, while our opponents might have an extra day to recover.

"Of course, the other side is that if we're playing away from home on a Friday then we will get that extra bit of leeway."

The decision was prompted by a desire to compromise with clubs who were unhappy with the condition of players after midweek internationals.

"Last year, the vote in favour of keeping it Wednesday-Saturday was something like 88 per cent," Smith added.

"I think it's down to pressure from clubs, who are unhappy with players returning late or exhausted from Wednesday games."