EXCLUSIVE: Fans fury at festive fixture farce after the Premier League FINALLY announce schedule… late kick-offs are set to cause supporter travel chaos with many facing long journeys at absurd times
- Premier League fans have expressed their anger at the festive fixture schedule
- Several fans will be impacted by travel issues because of the timings of games
- The fixtures were finally announced on Monday, 13 days after they were due
Football fans reacted with fury on Monday after the Premier League finally released their festive fixtures, with Arsenal and West Ham pulling the Boxing Day short straw.
As MailOnline revealed just after 1pm on Monday, the London derby between the two sides on Boxing Day, originally scheduled for 3pm, has been moved to 8pm.
The game, which will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime, is also likely to be impacted by public transport issues given it is a Bank Holiday.
John Williamson, a season-ticket holder at Arsenal since 1982, said: ‘I feel that the lifeblood of football, the match-going supporters, are getting taken for a ride by the TV companies and the Premier League. Fans are already struggling to travel with restricted public transport over the festive period, making it impossible for some.’
Premier League fans have expressed frustrations at the division’s fixture scheduling, including Arsenal against West Ham being scheduled for 8pm on Boxing Day
Arsenal’s clash against Newcastle on January 3 will kick off at 8pm, causing travel issues
West Ham season-ticket holder Tom Casserley, who says he will now not attend the game at the Emirates as a result of the 8pm kick-off, said: ‘It’s a joke, the Premier League and broadcasters are more interested in the armchair fans than the real supporters.
‘How are people getting home at 10pm on a Boxing Day?’
In a further controversial fixture change involving Arsenal, their home clash against Newcastle on Tuesday January 3, will be an 8pm kick-off — leaving away fans facing the arduous task of travelling back to the North East later that night when transport options are likely to be limited.
Liverpool will make the trip to Aston Villa in the top-flight’s teatime kick-off on Boxing Day
Arsenal vs West Ham will provide the Boxing Day evening entertainment in the Premier League
That same night, Bournemouth travel to Manchester United in another 8pm kick-off which will also create travel implications for visiting fans.
The Premier League and broadcasters have faced further criticism from supporter groups for a delay in announcing the festive fixtures, meaning fans have not been able to plan ahead.
Fan groups have hit out at the League for failing to announce TV selections for the busy festive period prior to yesterday, despite the fact they were due to be confirmed by October 11.
A post on Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust’s Twitter account read: ‘Thirteen days late and still only half of the fixtures are confirmed. Unacceptable.
‘Do better Premier League and broadcasting companies. Football fans deserve so much better.’
Leeds United vs Manchester City at Elland Road will be the evening kick-off on December 28
Brentford and Liverpool played out a thriller last season and will meet on Monday January 2
A tweet from the Football Supporters’ Association read: ‘Slow hand clap for the Premier League finally getting these out. Most of the January games still missing. And no explanation for the delay. No hint of an apology.’
Leeds United Supporters’ Trust tweeted: ‘We’ve recently raised this directly with club — more needs to done and more pressure needs to be piled on. Not good enough!’
In a letter to the Premier League released just moments before the festive games were announced, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust said: ‘The festive period is a very busy and expensive time, and supporters are currently unable to make plans or book annual leave with employers.
‘Train fares continue to rise and there is clearly little empathy being offered from football authorities.’
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