Met Police hit back in fixture row after Arsenal vs Chelsea was rescheduled for a Tuesday evening
Metropolitan Police hit back in fixture row after Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea was rescheduled for a Tuesday evening with just two weeks notice, as they claim clubs were told the fixture would have to move at the start of February
- Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea has been moved from a Saturday to a Tuesday
- The change came with 18 days notice and was labelled ‘a major inconvenience’
- Police claim that clubs were told the fixture would have to move in February
The Metropolitan Police have responded to backlash from fans after Chelsea’s clash with Arsenal was rearranged with just 18 days notice.
The game that was originally due to take place at 5.30pm on Saturday April 29 will now take place a few days later on Tuesday May 2, kicking off at 8pm, with fans labelling the alteration an example of them being ‘treated with complete contempt.’
In a statement released earlier this week, the Premier League said that the fixture had been agreed in February, but that it had been moved after the Police ‘revised their position regarding the kick-off’ at a later date.
Police Chiefs have now given a different version of events that suggests the Premier League could have announced the change earlier.
They said in a statement to the Mirror: ‘The Met works closely with partners to ensure the safety and security of those attending football matches in London.
The Metropolitan Police have hit back in the row over Arsenal’s game against Chelsea being rearranged with just 18 days notice
The clash was initially scheduled for Saturday April 29 but will now take place on Tuesday May 2
‘On 2nd February, within 24 hours of being informed of the proposed scheduling of this match, the Met raised an issue with Arsenal Football Club and the Premier League regarding the proposed 17:30hrs kick off for the Arsenal V Chelsea football match on Saturday 29th April, on the basis that the later weekend kick off time presents a higher risk of crime, anti-social behaviour and disorder.
‘An Emergency Safety Advisory Group meeting with key partners on 6th February failed to resolve the issue, and following a further meeting on 31st March the suggested earlier kick off time was declined by Arsenal and the Premier League, who instead decided to reschedule the fixture to the alternative time and date of 20:00hrs on Tuesday 2nd May.’
The statement appears to put the blame for the re-scheduling, which was described as a ‘major inconvenience’ in a joint statement from both clubs’ Supporters Trusts, back on the Premier League.
A number of all-London evening clashes have had the go-ahead to take place on or close to weekends including Arsenal’s season opener at Palace, West Ham’s Boxing Day trip to the Emirates and derbies involving Chelsea and Brentford both hosting Fulham.
The Police claim that clubs were told the fixture would have to move at the start of February
For Arsenal, the Chelsea clash is one of their key remaining games in the hunt for the Premier League title.
The Gunners’ draw with Liverpool in their last game has reduced their lead at the top of the Premier League table, which Man City can half with a win in their game in hand.
Mikel Arteta’s side still have to face the Cityzens, with their other seven games coming against relegation candidates West Ham, Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Wolves plus Newcastle, Brighton and Chelsea.
Arsenal will be buoyed by their relatively quiet schedule having been knocked out of all other competitions, while City could still play another six games across the FA Cup and Champions league.
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