Celtic could be given just over 1,000 tickets for the Scottish Cup fifth round tie with East Kilbride.
SFA rules demand that the away team is given a minimum allocation of 20% of tickets with East Kilbride’s first duty to meet the demands of their own supporters.
Yesterday EK chairman Mark Horner expressed his disappointment that the match would be played at New Douglas Park (capacity 6,018) with the SFA tweeting the news shortly after East Kilbride had beaten Lothian Thistle Hutchie Vale.
Taking the game to Fir Park or Firhill would have allowed an extra 5,000 fans to attend the match but after releasing a statement explaining their decision it’s unlikely that the SFA will perform a u-turn.
With a population of over 70,000, including many Celtic supporters, East Kilbride won’t have any difficulty selling 4,800 tickets leaving hoops supporters with a massive scramble to find tickets for the match.
Explaining their decision the SFA stated: “The decision regarding the choice of venue was taken in accordance with the terms of Scottish Cup Competition Rule 13 ‘Grounds for Ties’ on the basis that the Scottish FA had been advised by Police Scotland that this tie could not proceed at K-Park Training Academy on the grounds of spectator safety and security – a view shared by the Association’s administration.
“This matter was discussed at a meeting at K-Park on 14 January, attended by the East Kilbride Chairman, Mark Horner.
“Related to that meeting, the club was requested to submit venue selection proposals in the event of a home tie against Celtic FC by Monday, 18 January. During a subsequent telephone call, this deadline was moved back to Tuesday 19 January – at the request of the club – to allow further time for the consideration of/discussion with potential venues.
“On Tuesday, 19 January, the Scottish FA Board of Directors was provided with a paper putting forward the venue preferences of East Kilbride FC:
“1. K-Park, East Kilbride; 2. Hampden Park; 3. Celtic Park; 4. Broadwood / Excelsior Stadium / Firhill; 5. New Douglas Park.
“On Wednesday 20 January, on the basis of Rule 13, the decision of the Scottish FA Board was communicated to the club by e-mail and confirmed as remaining under embargo until the conclusion of Wednesday evening’s tie against Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale.”
Hosting the match, where the ticket money is shared, will involve costs of around £40,000 leaving little other than television money for the Lowland League club to bank from their Scottish Cup run.