THE Co Antrim Shield final between Linfield and Crusaders is now shrouded in controversy on Monday night over a ticketing row.

On Monday night, the board of Linfield Football Club announced that it was not going to be selling tickets for this year’s final.

In a statement, the south Belfast club said: “The Linfield Board believes that the ticketing of this game is unnecessary and unjustifiable.

“Indeed, the PSNI representative at the meeting also accepted that there was no requirement for tickets.

“The Linfield Board feels strongly that our supporters have suffered enough with ticketing restrictions over many seasons and on this occasion, the club cannot accept the rationale provided.

“Supporters are advised not to arrive at Windsor Park tomorrow expecting tickets to be on sale for this game,” added the statement.

The game was due to be held at the Oval on December 3 but it has now been put back 24 hours to Wednesday, December 4.