Linfield chairman Roy McGivern has voiced his frustrations
Linfield and Cliftonville are on collision course over their opening day fixture in the Irish Premiership, with the Reds unwilling to move the game to Sunday August 6.
The Blues feel there could be an element of 'payback' because they voted against a rule to open up Sunday football at the Irish FA's AGM recently.
The match between the two Belfast clubs was originally scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 5 and was set to be the highlight of the opening weekend of the new Irish League season.
But with David Healy’s side reaching the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League and playing in that competition on Thursday August 3, the encounter with Jim Magilton’s men is set to be pushed back.
Linfield want the fixture to be moved to Sunday, August 6, however Cliftonville are against that idea. The Reds have key players suspended for the first match of the season and the Blues fear this could be a deciding factor.
“We found out on Friday that Cliftonville are unwilling to move the opening day fixture for their own reasons," said Linfield chairman Roy McGivern.
“I believe Cliftonville have two players suspended and it is disappointing from our perspective, particularly for our supporters.
“Linfield versus Cliftonville on the opening weekend of the new Premiership season is a very attractive fixture and it would be very disappointing if we were not able to play it that weekend.
“We had great co-operation last season from three clubs – Portadown, Carrick Rangers and Newry City – when we were playing in Europe on a Thursday night before League games.
“All three clubs were happy to move fixtures to a Sunday to help us with our fixtures in Europe and we
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