Scotland Travel - Sfa Abuse

[Clydeside_Sheep]

So, normally mild mannered Pat Nevin was on the wireless this morning criticising the SFA for the Scotland teams travel arrangements for the recent two games.

Apparently they didnt get back from georgia till approx 6am satuday, and had to play again monday night.

Claimed their flight home delayed by 2 hours and moaning that the SFA should have better plans in place. Their plane was a Boeing 737 which seemingly is not good enough for footballers on a long haul (6 hr) flight.

He went on to claim Aberdeen FC would have a better plan in place (likely refering to our hiring a 200 grand jet for our recent away trip).


What do you make of this?

1) Surely its unsustainable to expect the SFA to hire jets to take the national team places? WHo is going to pay for that? Who do they think they are? Aberdeen FC?

2) If a boeing 737 is good enough for everyone else flying back from georgia, why not the scotland team? They would have been sleeping anyway.

3) Is a 2 hr delay such a big deal? How is getting home at 4am saturday much better than 6am, with regard to the game on the monday?

4) Of course Aberdeen FC would have a better plan in place. Of course. That goes without saying. Club football is important and is concerned with big money.......the Scottish national team......less so.

 

 

 

Do you think this is more about wee Pat making subtle excuses for his pals in and around the Scotland team, following 0 points from a possible 6?

 

We should be careful we dont moan about the fixtures too much, lest FIFA remind us takingpart is not obligatory...........

[dave_min]

One day you'll write a post worth reading.

 

Today is not that day.

[RUL]

The SFA should charter planes for away games, they should pay for it.

[Clydeside_Sheep]

One day you'll write a post worth reading.

 

Today is not that day.

 

You must have read it, to come to that conclusion.

 

Idiot.

[Clydeside_Sheep]

The SFA should charter planes for away games, they should pay for it.

 

Can the SFA really afford to do that?

 

I dont know anything about their budget, but would have thought it would be pittance compared to the top flight clubs?

[dave_min]

You must have read it, to come to that conclusion.

 

Idiot.

I did.

 

I also read this reply.

[The Oxford Don]

The SFA should charter planes for away games, they should pay for it.

 

...is the correct answer.

 

There's a simple question to ask in these situations: what would Germany do?

 

Answer: have a chartered plane sitting on the tarmac with its engines running, abdy on board and get the hell out of there.

 

BTW I think the flight itself was delayed by 2 hours but there was some vast logistical cock-up even before that which meant that they were scheduled to leave much later than would have been advisable.

 

And yes, 4am still preferable to 6am! Psychologically if nothing else.

[dave_min]

They did charter a plane. The problem was it was a densely packed 737 used for package holidays to Magaluf.

 

The Dons used a 737 for Almaty, but it was one filled with lay flat seats.

 

No idea why it was delayed so long as it was already there when I left.

[RUL]

 

Can the SFA really afford to do that?

 

I dont know anything about their budget, but would have thought it would be pittance compared to the top flight clubs?

 

I am fairly sure the SFA take enough cash in. The priority has to be to spend whatever it takes to prepare. Like Nevin says, if he was struggling for space then what about the actual players? Should professional footballers be having a Burger King? I don't know for certain but I am guessing there aren't many countries who take their players for a Burger King after a game.

[Foster14]

£33.6m turnover in 2014. Certainly a larger operation than a Premiership club.

 

Not sure if spending more on a flight makes sense if it reduces investment elsewhere...

[RTYD]

 

Can the SFA really afford to do that?

 

I dont know anything about their budget, but would have thought it would be pittance compared to the top flight clubs?

How much did mugs pay for their tickets on Monday night? They can afford it.

[RUL]

Unless it's changed, he said they were in Burger King as opposed to the lower class "Burger Mania" located downstairs.

[fine-n-dandy]

 

Can the SFA really afford to do that?

 

I dont know anything about their budget, but would have thought it would be pittance compared to the top flight clubs?

£5m for the Qatar friendly alone. Sell out Hampden plus a DOUBLE dunt from TV money for the Germany game.

I think they can afford £200k on a decent charter (which is what we paid rumour has it)

 

Who gets most of the cash for the gigs held at Hampden? Pretty sure it's not Queens Park. They'd be a professional club by now if they did.

 

Can probably double the charter price cos they'd need another for all the suits on a jolly.