Posted on 20th October 2017
Following reports that the EFL will allow its clubs to break the 3pm blackout convention this weekend by broadcasting games to UK audiences via its iFollow service, the FSF has issued the following statement:
Supporters relief at no Christmas Eve kick-offs
This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.
No Premier League games will be moved to Christmas Eve for TV broadcast this year – a move welcomed by match-going supporters across the country.
The latest round of broadcast selections, announced yesterday, will see 24 matches broadcast live throughout December. Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore said “the process of selecting games for live broadcast has been a more complex one than usual” with Christmas Eve falling on Sunday this year.
Earlier this month rumours surfaced that broadcasters were seeking to show a live Premier League game on Christmas Eve. Supporter organisations across the country, led by the FSF, lobbied against the idea.
Last week in a meeting with supporter representatives Scudamore said that no 4pm kick-offs would be allowed on Christmas Eve, but that other broadcast slots were still being considered.
Now broadcast schedule for December contains no Christmas Eve kick-offs, the Football Supporters’ Federation said: “Fans will be relieved to see that broadcasters and the Premier League have backed away from the idea of a Christmas Eve fixture.
“It was never popular with match-going fans and we’re happy to say they have listened – more of the same in future please!
“Top-flight clubs receive billions from broadcasters and more of that revenue should be used to help fans with travel when games are rescheduled for TV.”
