Police Cost Reds TV Date

Last updated : 29 March 2013 By Alastair Limb (tykesmad)

A decision made by South Yorkshire Police has denied the Reds £80,000 and a TV date with Hull City on April 27th.

The police force have refused to allow the home game against the Tigers kick off in the evening due to potential unrest. Sky Sports wanted to show the game live on Saturday evening which would have meant a 5.20pm kick off.

The game could have ramifications for both clubs at either end of the npower Championship, with Hull vying for promotion and the Reds scrapping for their lives at the opposite end of the league.

Reds director Don Rowing told the Barnsley Chronicle: 

"I would have thought that the crowd would have been lower with the game being on television but the police have made their decision and there's not much we can do about it.

"It's disappointing because the money from Sky would have helped the club but the police felt that there had been history between Barnsley and Hull in the past and that the game would be unsafe."

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: 

"It's relevant to note that this is potentially a vastly important fixture for both clubs in terms of promotion and relegation. Emotions will clearly run very high and this will raise the threat of disorder. Public safety is our primary concern."

The Reds have had only two televised games so far this season, the 5-0 drubbing of Birmingham in September, and the 1-0 home reverse to tomorrow's opponents Sheffield Wednesday in December.