The Irish Football Association has issued a statement after a body representing Presbyterian churches in the Ballymena area raised concerns about the Irish Cup final being played on a Sunday.
Ballymena United will play Crusaders in the showpiece final on Sunday 7 May, with the IFA confirming scheduling of the final had to be reconsidered after the King's Coronation was confirmed for Saturday 6 May.
The Association added the decision to move the final to a Sunday, for the first time ever, was taken back in December.
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“The Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup Final was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday 6 May 2023," a spokesperson said.
"However, when the details of the King’s Coronation were announced, the Irish Cup Committee had to reconsider the arrangements and scheduling of the final.
“It was agreed in December 2022 that, due to these exceptional circumstances, the 2023 final would be played on Sunday 7 May.”
In a statement the Ballymena Presbytery Public Affairs Committee said it had heard from "numerous fans" who are "disappointed" with the scheduling of the game, and called on Ballymena United "to make the strongest representation possible to the Irish FA" to change the game to another day.
The statement said: “We appreciate the need to rearrange the game from its traditional Saturday afternoon time to accommodate those who wish to celebrate the Coronation of the King Charles III.
"However, we do feel that an alternative time other than a Sunday could have been found to the agreement of all parties.
"Many fans of Irish league clubs, including these two clubs, are committed Christians for whom Sunday is a special day of worship and rest, which includes the regular practice of attending services of worship.
"We’ve heard from numerous fans how disappointed they are that the final is to take place on a Sunday and they are torn over whether to attend the match or not. We’ve no doubt that some will attend the match, with reservation, while many are opting not to go and, sadly for them, are missing out on a very special occasion.
"Rather than a Sunday final being a progressive change, we strongly feel that this is discriminatory and not in the best interests of local football."
It is understood both Crusaders and Ballymena United will hold board meetings this week where the issue of the Sunday final will be discussed.
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