English Premier League’s schedule has been the foremost topic for discussion in football world lately. The heavy schedule has added to worries of Managers regarding players fitness. The saga has sparked again as Premier League has planned to postpone Leicester v Manchester United, Arsenal-Liverpool and West Ham-Newcastle for live TV on Christmas Eve.
Fans enjoying a game during boxing day that is 26th December.
Premier League urged to reconsider above fixtures
EPL has not witnessed any major game on 24th December in last 22 years, but this year’s revised fixtures has disappointed fans as they may have to choose between their favourite team or spending happy time with family.
Tom Watson MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, has written to the league’s chief executive Richard Scudamore urging him to reconsider Christmas Eve’s fixtures.
“There’s a real danger that some travelling fans would not be able to get home until the early hours of Christmas Day, whilst hundreds of stadium staff and workers would be expected to work rather than spending time with their families at this time of year.
Tom Watson, Labor’s Party leader who wrote letter to Premier League officials.
“I accept that televised football on a Sunday, and over the Christmas period in guise of Boxing Day fixtures are a well-established part of the football calendar but I urge you to recognise the concerns of fans, staff and families.” Watson enlightens in his letter.
Moving Premier League games to Christmas Eve? I'm not so sure and more importantly, neither are fans groups. https://t.co/0ldQ0YCoTH What do you think?
— Tom Watson (@tom_watson) October 7, 2017
Managers and Fans are not happy with Christmas fixtures
Epl do not have winter break like other leagues in Europe do, thus it demands more from players leading to high risk of injuries.
Liverpool’s boss Jurgen Klopp expressed his disappointment regarding fixtures on Christmas Eve.
“If the supporters want to see a game on Christmas Eve then probably the television broadcaster will find a way to deliver it,” Klopp said.
“If we play on December 24th I am not sure we can fight against it.
Liverpool manager too expressed his disappointment over Christmas eve fixtures.
Sky has to make a decision if they really want to bring supporters onto the streets that night.
For us, we are used to it. It is not a normal time and if we don’t play on the 24th, we’ll play the 25th or 26th. But it is still Christmas for our families.
Just think of all the other people involved who have to go there. Maybe we will play without the media – that would be nice, just one camera.
I really cannot imagine that anyone wants to watch football on that night.” added Klopp.
Playing major teams on such day has let to a big debate between the fans and premier league officials.
James McKenna, from the Liverpool supporters group ‘Spirit of Shankly’ speaking to BBC said that,
“It seems that in pursuit of the TV schedule people who actually go to football matches have been forgotten.
“It’s not physically impossible, 22 footballers can turn up and play on Christmas Eve but if you’re a fan, you’re saying on Christmas Eve you won’t do anything you usually do.
“There has been no consultation with supporters. The Premier League and Sky should understand our concerns and seeing as it’s the season of goodwill, we would ask them to show a bit and not schedule any matches for that day.
“There is lots of anger and frustration from Arsenal supporters too. If it doesn’t happen to us, this could well happen to one of the other 18 teams.
Author’s Take
It was already a heavy scheduled league but the revised schedule has also involved fans into the ongoing criticism of League.
With major fixtures to be kept on Christmas eve it will be very interesting to see how many fans and media people turn up to cover the game.
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