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Thursday, October 22, 2015 4:29pm ET by  
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One Direction's Belfast gig cancellation angers ice hockey team

One Direction's recent concert cancellation has angered an ice hockey team because the rescheduling of the lads' gig has forced their match to be axed. 

The boyband's Belfast gig that was supposed to go ahead as planned on Tuesday, October 20 was cancelled at the last minute after member Liam Payne became unwell, and it has now been rescheduled for Friday (October 23). 

However, an ice hockey match between the Belfast Giants and the Sheffield Steelers was due to take place at the SSE Arena on Friday and Saturday, but that has now been postponed to accommodate the rescheduling.

The owner of the travelling side, Steelers owner Tony Smith, has expressed his outrage over the decision to change the fixture. He said: "This is unacceptable and not the end of the matter."

Operations director Shaun Smith added to Belfastlive.co.uk: "We are disappointed that the game isn't proceeding not only for ourselves but for the many fans who have already booked their travel, hotel and game night tickets."

"We certainly aren't happy with the late postponement. We believe this is a commercial decision taken by the arena in Belfast that will certainly inconvenience, disrupt and hurt financially both the club and our supporters. We await further communication with Belfast in due course."

Neil Walker, general manager of the SSE Arena, also issued a statement on the situation: "We are extremely grateful to the Belfast Giants and Sheffield teams and apologise to their fans for the inconvenience caused. We are very grateful to them for their understanding and accommodation of the nearly 10,000 young concert fans who were so devastated by the cancellation..."

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Watch 1D's video for 'Perfect' here:

 

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