The SFA have moved the final of their top competition from a Saturday to a Sunday for next year. Following consultation with the SPL and SFL, the SFA have announced that the William Hill Scottish Cup final in 2013 will be played at Hampden on Sunday, 26 May. The oldest cup trophy in world football will be moved from its traditional Saturday slot to comply with new regulations prohibiting a scheduling conflict with the UEFA Champions League final but also to ensure maximum exposure and attendance figures. Under the new Champions League guidelines, national associations must not schedule games on the same day as the final, which takes place on 25 May with an evening kick-off. UEFA have offered each Association one-off dispensation, which will allow the William Hill Scottish Cup final to remain, as planned, on May 19 this year with a 3pm kick-off. Campbell Ogilvie, SFA president said: "After a period of consultation with the Scottish Premier League, the Scottish Football League, our cup sponsors and broadcast rights holders, Sunday, May 26, was agreed as the preferred date for the William Hill Scottish Cup final in 2013. Moving the cup final forward would have been prohibitive to an already congested league fixture calendar. We have also agreed to bring forward the date for the fourth round fixtures after research showed an attendance downturn in the traditional January slot. The fourth round will now take place on the weekend of December 1 and 2, which will also enable the SPL to consider the reintroduction of a winter break. I am sure the supporters will understand the rationale behind the decision and appreciate that our intention is to ensure the cup final is given its due recognition as the showpiece event of the Scottish season."
Source: FOOTYMAD
