Chelsea have echoed the concerns of their fans who are campaigning to stop Sky Sports from moving Premier League games to Christmas Eve, according to reports.
Sky will announce their festive schedule on October 16 and it is believed they hope to broadcast two live games on Christmas Eve for the first time in 22 years. The Blues are set to face Everton on December 23 but fans fear the game will be moved to the next day and cause travel chaos, according to the Evening Standard.
The Chelsea Supporters Trust voiced their concerns to the club earlier this month and Chelsea responded and offered support.
A statement from Chelsea said: "The Chelsea Supporters Trust wrote to the club this week expressing its objections to fixtures being scheduled to be played on Christmas Eve, an idea they are opposed to 'due to the inherent travel difficulties and disruption to what is regarded as sacrosanct family time'.
"The club is sympathetic to our supporters' objections and it is a subject we have raised with the Premier League." Several clubs have expressed their reluctance to play on Christmas Eve to the league including Liverpool who visit Arsenal over the festive season.
That game is thought to be the broadcasters first-choice to televise on Christmas Eve but the Anfield club have objected to the proposal accusing it of showing "zero regard for supporters".
With a proposed 4pm kick-off and the last train from Euston to Liverpool scheduled to run at approximately 6pm, the away fans would be faced with the prospect of being stranded away from home on Christmas Day.
But despite the opposition coming from the clubs and fans, the decision is ultimately down to the Premier League who receive £11million from Sky Sports per league game under the current contract. If the date change is given the green light, Sky's plans could be derailed if Arsenal are unable to guarantee the required number of stewards for a game to earn a safety certificate.
From The Sun
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