Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Linfield hit out after Big Two derby date is changed due to Biden visit

Linfield have hit out after it was confirmed that next month's Big Two has been pushed back 24 hours.

The crunch fixture has been moved from Tuesday, April 11 to Wednesday, April 12 due to PSNI 'operational pressures' surrounding the visit of US president Joe Biden to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Biden will start his five-day visit in Belfast on April 11. On that evening five Irish Premiership fixtures are scheduled to take place including three in Belfast.

Read more: Larne veteran Albert Watson opens up on retirement dilemma

Cliftonville's clash against league leaders Larne at Solitude and Crusaders' home game against Coleraine at Seaview are set to proceed as planned, but the Big Two has been moved.

The champions say they were notified on Wednesday evening, and have aired their concerns at "the impact this short notice change will have on our supporters".

They have also questioned in the integrity of this season's title run-in, with leaders Larne now set to play 24 hours before.

Larne currently hold a five-point lead at the top of the Premiership.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Blues said: "While we accept that this decision may be necessary, given policing levels, we have concerns at the impact this short notice change will have on our supporters. Furthermore, we were bemused that two other NIFL fixtures have been given permission to go ahead in North Belfast, under three miles from Windsor Park.

"Given that there are only five league games left, in the interests of fairness and sporting integrity, we suggested to NIFL that all Easter Tuesday games, be moved to Tuesday 18th April, as there is currently a scheduled game for TV involving one of the impacted clubs on Friday 14th April. This would ensure no team would be afforded a sporting advantage, or suffer a sporting disadvantage.

"We outlined our position to NIFL and expressed a strong desire to engage in face to face meetings with both the PSNI and NIFL. We have not been afforded that opportunity.

"This is an extremely disappointing outcome which impacts on our loyal supporters who have bought tickets for this game in good faith and made arrangements accordingly during the busy Easter period."

READ NEXT:

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.