Clubs may seek compensation

The acrimony between Merrion Square and the participants in tomorrow's Carlsberg FAI Cup semi-final continued yesterday as Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers insisted that the association's scheduling of their game at Tolka Park would leave them with little alternative but to seek compensation from the game's governing body. Emmet Malone reports

The general secretary of the FAI, Brendan Menton, maintained that the organisation's decision to have the Dublin derby played at 3.0 tomorrow afternoon had been made primarily on the grounds of public safety after a warning was received from the Garda that there might be crowd trouble at the match.

But Bohemians secretary Gerry Cuffe dismissed the alleged threat and insisted that, when contacted by the club in relation to the timing of the game, senior gardaí had expressed no concern whatsoever with the possibility that the game be held on a Friday evening.

Both sides did manage to agree that no one had ever confirmed that either game would be broadcast live by RTÉ, but Cuffe expressed some disappointment that, having been led to believe when the draw was made that it was a distinct possibility, no one had officially informed the club that no agreement with the station had been agreed.

"As it stands," he said, "we stand to be substantially out of pocket because of the timing of this game. It should have been played this evening (last night), when there are no counter attractions, and it would have attracted a huge crowd.

"Instead we're up against Celtic (versus) Rangers, two games on Sky and the Dublin under-21s because of a senseless decision by the FAI to make us play at a particular time on a particular day."

Menton, meanwhile, claimed the decision to persist with the Sunday afternoon kick-off had subsequently been taken because of the serious nature of the warnings received from the Garda who, he said, had received "significant information" in relation to the game.

An additional 30 security staff had also been recruited to work at the game, he added, "because our overwhelming concern is for the safety and security of he fans".

Nevertheless, the clubs are expected to compare tomorrow's gate receipts with those achieved at Dalymount Park two years ago when the two Dublin rivals also met at this stage of the competition. The FAI will then be pressed to make up any shortfall.