GEORGE Burley believes the Scottish Premier League's decision to postpone the start of next season could prove decisive in Scotland's bid to qualify for the World Cup.
The SPL today agreed to Burley's request for the kick-off of the 2009-10 campaign to be put back by a week to August 15.
The Scotland manager had pleaded for the postponement, in order to give him more time to prepare for the August 12 World Cup qualifier in Norway.
And he saluted the SPL board for giving the country the best possible chance of success in Oslo later this year.
He said: "I'm absolutely delighted that an agreement has been reached on the start date of next season.
"This gives me time to prepare the boys properly for the crucial match in Norway and means that the first game of the season - which is always played at 100 miles an hour - will not now take place a few days before we head to Oslo.
"My thanks to the SPL for finding a solution to this, which I know has not been easy.
"This gives us a real chance to take the country to the World Cup."
The SPL decided to grant Burley's wish despite being angered by the SFA's negotiating tactics, which included withdrawing a firm commitment to switch next season's Homecoming Scottish Cup semi-finals from a weekend to a midweek date.
The SFA will now only move the fixtures if a Scottish team reaches the quarter-finals of a European competition.
Should that not happen, it appears they would expect the SPL to squeeze in an additional round of midweek league matches sometime in April next year.
That will not please the SPL, who are extremely concerned about fixture congestion in a season already shortened by next year's World Cup finals.
The SPL said in a statement: "Facing a late start and an early end to the season because of the World Cup, we asked the SFA for a firm commitment to move the Scottish Cup semi-finals to a midweek.
"This would have provided certainty in giving a clear weekend to play a round of league matches and helped our teams with European commitments.
"The SFA told us yesterday that they would meet our request. But, subsequently, this commitment was withdrawn.
"The SPL board met this morning. They were deeply disappointed at the SFA's unwillingness to provide the commitment sought.
"But, given the board's wish to meet the Scotland team manager's request for a free weekend on August 8, they decided the season would now start on August 15."
SPL secretary Iain Blair said: "Helping the national side was at the forefront of our efforts over the past few days.
"We worked to find a way of accommodating George's request while managing the issues this creates for us and our clubs.
"We are disappointed the SFA were not more willing to work with us in assisting the national side."
The SFA insisted it was standard negotiating practice for offers to be made and withdrawn.
A spokesman for the governing body added: "The Scottish FA is very happy with the outcome of the negotiations and are satisfied that every step was taken by everyone involved to find a workable solution to a difficult problem.
"Should it be required, we are prepared to move the Scottish Cup semi-final dates to a midweek.
"This is not a decision that we would take lightly. But, as is only right and proper, we feel that the interests of the national team should be paramount.
"We have a real chance to make it to South Africa - we are delighted that everyone is working towards that goal."
Today's verdict came almost two months after a furious row erupted between the SFA and SPL following the latter's decision to begin the season on August 8.
Burley had requested an August 1 kick-off but this was rejected by the SPL, who were keen to avoid a 'false start' to the campaign and were also concerned about their member clubs' preparation for European qualifiers.
The Scotland manager then made a formal request to the SPL on Wednesday for a postponement.
The SPL board debated the matter at their monthly meeting on Thursday and secretary Iain Blair met SFA chief executive Gordon Smith later that day to discuss the issue further.
A final decision was expected on Thursday and then yesterday but the wrangle over moving Scottish Cup fixtures meant it was this morning before a verdict was reached.
The Scotland manager had pleaded for the postponement, in order to give him more time to prepare for the August 12 World Cup qualifier in Norway.
And he saluted the SPL board for giving the country the best possible chance of success in Oslo later this year.
He said: "I'm absolutely delighted that an agreement has been reached on the start date of next season.
"This gives me time to prepare the boys properly for the crucial match in Norway and means that the first game of the season - which is always played at 100 miles an hour - will not now take place a few days before we head to Oslo.
"My thanks to the SPL for finding a solution to this, which I know has not been easy.
"This gives us a real chance to take the country to the World Cup."
The SPL decided to grant Burley's wish despite being angered by the SFA's negotiating tactics, which included withdrawing a firm commitment to switch next season's Homecoming Scottish Cup semi-finals from a weekend to a midweek date.
The SFA will now only move the fixtures if a Scottish team reaches the quarter-finals of a European competition.
Should that not happen, it appears they would expect the SPL to squeeze in an additional round of midweek league matches sometime in April next year.
That will not please the SPL, who are extremely concerned about fixture congestion in a season already shortened by next year's World Cup finals.
The SPL said in a statement: "Facing a late start and an early end to the season because of the World Cup, we asked the SFA for a firm commitment to move the Scottish Cup semi-finals to a midweek.
"This would have provided certainty in giving a clear weekend to play a round of league matches and helped our teams with European commitments.
"The SFA told us yesterday that they would meet our request. But, subsequently, this commitment was withdrawn.
"The SPL board met this morning. They were deeply disappointed at the SFA's unwillingness to provide the commitment sought.
"But, given the board's wish to meet the Scotland team manager's request for a free weekend on August 8, they decided the season would now start on August 15."
SPL secretary Iain Blair said: "Helping the national side was at the forefront of our efforts over the past few days.
"We worked to find a way of accommodating George's request while managing the issues this creates for us and our clubs.
"We are disappointed the SFA were not more willing to work with us in assisting the national side."
The SFA insisted it was standard negotiating practice for offers to be made and withdrawn.
A spokesman for the governing body added: "The Scottish FA is very happy with the outcome of the negotiations and are satisfied that every step was taken by everyone involved to find a workable solution to a difficult problem.
"Should it be required, we are prepared to move the Scottish Cup semi-final dates to a midweek.
"This is not a decision that we would take lightly. But, as is only right and proper, we feel that the interests of the national team should be paramount.
"We have a real chance to make it to South Africa - we are delighted that everyone is working towards that goal."
Today's verdict came almost two months after a furious row erupted between the SFA and SPL following the latter's decision to begin the season on August 8.
Burley had requested an August 1 kick-off but this was rejected by the SPL, who were keen to avoid a 'false start' to the campaign and were also concerned about their member clubs' preparation for European qualifiers.
The Scotland manager then made a formal request to the SPL on Wednesday for a postponement.
The SPL board debated the matter at their monthly meeting on Thursday and secretary Iain Blair met SFA chief executive Gordon Smith later that day to discuss the issue further.
A final decision was expected on Thursday and then yesterday but the wrangle over moving Scottish Cup fixtures meant it was this morning before a verdict was reached.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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