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Supporter organisations across the FSA’s Premier League Network have united in opposition to the decision made by the league and Sky Sports to show Wolves vs Chelsea on Christmas Eve 2023 – the first time such a scheduling decision has been made since 1995.

Football Supporters’ Association response to today’s Premier League announcement that there will be a Christmas Eve fixture for the first time since 1995.

Arranging tickets, travel and accommodation for games is a major challenge for supporters, particularly under the current TV contract regime. We all know broadcasters call the shots and hundreds of games are moved for broadcast every season.

Reports suggest the Premier League and broadcasters are set to ignore supporters and schedule a Christmas Eve fixture for the first time since 1995. It’s an unwanted present which no-one asked for.

News that the Premier League plans to broadcast around 270 of its games, up from 200, is unwelcome but not entirely unsurprising for matchgoing supporters.

Reports appeared in the Telegraph this week about the potential for a new Sunday 6.30pm kick-off slot in the Premier League’s next TV deal.

At the weekend the Premier League announced fixture changes to its September and October match schedule following the draws for the European competitions.

The 2023-24 season kicked-off this weekend and with it the traditional Community Shield curtain-raiser. There was some controversy ahead of the Wembley fixture this year, however, after Manchester City fans criticised the FA and broadcasters over the late kick-off time.

The volume of televised games is at an all-time high and, with more clubs playing in Europe than ever, the problem of “conditional” TV selections has become particularly acute.

It’s not often that the FA Cup leads the sports news headlines in July but it shows the depth of supporter knowledge nowadays that many have strong, informed opinions on who should (or should not) be allowed to bid for the competition’s media rights.

Last month the FA announced that the Community Shield would be taking place on a Sunday at 5.30pm, a difficult time for Manchester City fans hoping to get down to the game and back in time for work the next day. After a backlash that was revised to 4pm but Manchester City fans are calling for it to be moved to 3pm.

Today it was announced that Arsenal’s upcoming game against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium has been moved with just over two weeks notice in a move described as “insulting” by fan groups.

Supporters groups from across the country have expressed their anger at the Premier League and its broadcasters for the latest delay in releasing TV fixtures.

Manchester United supporters have issued a legal letter to a west London local authority following the decision to cut their away ticket allocation for the upcoming game against Chelsea.

The EFL plans to make all matches from 2024-25 available for broadcast and streaming – which could see an end to the Saturday 3pm “blackout” in its competitions.

Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) say the decision to cut their away allocation for the upcoming match at Chelsea at short notice is “a shambles” and sets “a disgraceful precedent”.

Chelsea fans have released a statement criticising the Premier League and broadcasters as they still await news on the kick-off time for their upcoming game against Manchester United – now just 16 days away.

The EFL have been criticised by fans of Grimsby Town for postponing their League Two game against Crewe Alexandra due to a head spinning set of circumstances involving Manchester City’s Under-21s.

Chelsea and West Ham United fans have accused the Premier League and its broadcasters of treating supporters with “complete contempt” over the re-arrangement of their fixture this coming weekend.

During what was one of the hottest weekends of the year football fans have once again had to voice complaints about their treatment – particularly around access to water and other heatwave essentials such as sun cream.