Motherwell request Europa Conference League clash switch as fans told to hold off booking trip

Motherwell have made a request to UEFA to have their Europa Conference League second round qualifying fixtures reversed to allow their new Fir Park pitch time to bed in.

And the club's chief executive Alan Burrows has asked fans not to book flights or accommodation until the fate of their fixtures are confirmed.

The Steelmen were drawn to face either Welsh Premier side Bala Town or Irish Premier outfit Sligo Rovers at Fir Park on July 21, with the return leg away from home on July 28.

However, with a new surface being laid in ML1, Burrows has asked UEFA and both clubs if they would play the second leg at Fir Park instead.

And Burrows relaid the news to fans on social media, while asking them to hang fire on any bookings - which has had a mixed reception after some supporters immediately took a chance on booking up for the away leg and taking time off work.

He posted on Twitter: "Exciting draw and great to be back in European football. If fans could hold off booking any travel arrangements (if you haven’t already).

"In order to give our new pitch an additional week’s growth, we have made a request to UEFA and both clubs about switching the dates.

"There isn’t confirmation of that as yet (it might not even be possible), and the dates as listed by UEFA might still stand, but we hope to have it firmed up asap."

Burrows later states that he expects a decision either by or before 6pm today.

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport onTwitter via@LanLiveSport, like us onFacebookor find us onInstagramfor the latest sports news, pictures and video.