This month's Scottish League Cup semifinal arrangements "could be changed" -- with one heading to Edinburgh -- "amid criticism of the original plans," according to Alasdair Lamont of the BBC. The Scottish Professional Football League is considering moving Heart of Midlothian's meeting with Celtic to Murrayfield on Oct. 28. It comes after Hampden Park Ltd. "waived its right to host both games." SPFL CEO Neil Doncaster said, "This is clearly extremely welcome news." Aberdeen is scheduled to meet Rangers at noon, with Celtic playing Hearts at 7:45pm, and Police Scotland earlier asked for "further talks about the plan to hold both at Hampden that day." Doncaster said, "After the draw, we spoke to Hampden Park Ltd. to ask whether they would release us from a contractual obligation to host all semifinals involving the Old Firm at Hampden. They declined our request and we were unwilling to breach this contract and risk legal action. ... We have been contacted this morning by SFA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell, who said that Hampden Park Ltd. has now reconsidered that position and have agreed to waive that legal obligation" (BBC 10/2). In London, Rutherford & Palmer reported the SPFL's decision to stage both Scottish League Cup semifinals on the same day at Hampden was described as "simply idiotic" by Scottish Police Federation General Secretary Calum Steele. He is concerned about the "ridiculously long hours" which members of the police service will have to work and he feels that switching one game to Edinburgh would "definitely be easier." Steele said, "The most important thing to say is that, in advance of the decision being announced, no discussions took place between the service and ourselves" (LONDON TIMES, 10/2).
