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Reports of the Premier League and broadcasters scheduling the first Christmas Eve fixture since 1995 this season are a \u201ckick in the teeth\u201d for match-going fans, the Football Supporters\u2019 Association has said.<\/p>\n
It follows a report in The Telegraph<\/em> <\/em>that at least one fixture could be moved to Sunday December 24 this year. The Express and Star<\/em> then reported that the match between Wolves and Chelsea is under consideration for the slot.<\/p>\n The English top-flight has not staged a match on Christmas Eve since Leeds United played Manchester United in 1995, in a contest that is still remembered for Tony Yeboah\u2019s stunning strike for the hosts in a 3-1 win at Elland Road.<\/p>\n But a fixture has not been scheduled on the day before Christmas since, with supporters voicing their opposition due to the challenges of matchday travel – particularly for away fans.<\/p>\n Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, with a full schedule of matches set to be played on Saturday December 23, as well as the traditional Boxing Day fixtures on December 26.<\/p>\n \u201cReports suggest the Premier League and broadcasters are set to ignore supporters and schedule a Christmas Eve fixture for the first time since 1995. It\u2019s an unwanted present which no-one asked for,\u201d the Football Supporters\u2019 Association (FSA) said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be a huge kick in the teeth for supporters who have consistently made clear their opposition to games the day before Christmas \u2013 as it\u2019s not the first time this has been proposed.<\/p>\n \u201cBack in October 2017 there were reports that Sky Sports wanted to broadcast games on Christmas Eve which we said represented \u2018a new low point in putting the interests of football broadcasters over those of matchgoing fans\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would put many supporters in an impossible choice between going to the match or spending festive time with their families \u2013 and that\u2019s before you factor in the added challenges of travelling on a Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the past decade or so Christmas Eve fell on a Saturday in 2011, 2016 and 2022 while 2017 was a Sunday. There was no top-flight football on those days which suggests an informal policy the Premier League is now looking to backtrack on.\u201d<\/p>\n Commenting on the reports that Chelsea fans could face travelling to Wolverhampton on Christmas Eve, Mark Meehan, the chair of the Chelsea Supporters\u2019 Trust, said such a decision would be \u201ctotally unacceptable\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring a time when we ought to be helping supporters travel to away fixtures, it\u2019s outrageous that another hurdle could be placed in their way,\u201d Meehan said.<\/p>\n Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies<\/p>\n Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.<\/p>\nJoin our commenting forum<\/h2>\n
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