Aberdeen supporters have been spared a daunting trip to Tetovo after Uefa moved the Europa League first qualifying round tie against KF Shkendija next week to the Macedonian capital of Skopje.
The Dons have been drawn away in the first leg on Thursday, July 2, but Uefa have confirmed the tie, which will kick off at 8.05pm British time, will be moved from the 15,000-capacity Gradski Stadium in Tetovo to the 34,000 Philip II Arena in Skopje.
The move to the largest city in the country will come as a relief to Dons supporters as Tetova has a notoriously high crime rate, second only to the capital despite its population of only 50,000 – one-tenth of Skopje’s.
Shkendija share their ground with three other clubs but the stadium is being rebuilt and will not be ready to host the Dons.
The Dons face a 4,254-mile round trip to Skopje for next week’s match, while fellow Scottish sides Caley Thistle and St Johnstone face similar lengthy treks to Romania and Armenia.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes feels more should be done to ensure the early stages of the Europa League are regionalised.
He said: “It would make sense. The competition is saturated with teams now and it can be difficult.
“We looked at the teams in the group that we could have got and we’ve probably got the most challenging one geographically and in terms of ability.
“It is what it is. We’re not going to complain.
“We’d rather be talking about it than watching from the outside.
“One of the other hurdles is the early start. We have to make sure we’re ready. We’re trying to give the players the rest they deserve and need for the campaign ahead.
“But we’ve got to make sure we’re ready physically for this one. Hopefully we get the balance right over the course of the season and certainly for this one.”
Black players with British clubs have had to endure racist abuse on visits to the country.
David N’Gog and David Amoo were subjected to monkey chants in 2010 when Liverpool played Rabotnicki, while Emile Heskey, Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell suffered similar abuse when England played Macedonia in an international in 2003.
An England flag was also burned in the stadium, resulting in the Macedonian FA being fined £10,370.
The Dons last night moved to reassure supporters they would be made welcome in Macedonia.
An Aberdeen spokesperson said: “Our representatives are currently in Macedonia making arrangements for the match, working alongside our colleagues from KF Shkendija.
“There has been no indication this is a high risk match or that supporters should not travel to the match.
“We will continue to work alongside our colleagues in Macedonia, at Uefa and Police Scotland to ensure our supporters are provided with all the necessary information they will require before travelling.”