STATEMENT
Black Scarf Movement : No football on Christmas Eve
1 October 2017
Matchgoing football supporters in England, especially at Premier League level, are getting increasingly used to the inconvenience of fixtures being moved to suit television companies. Changes are made with little or no respect to the fans who pay thousands of pounds to support their team home and away, and too often we see people losing hard-earned money as a result of Sky, BT Sport or other broadcasters making late changes to the fixture schedule.
Recent news has broken that this year, Sky are looking to stage a 'Super Sunday' on Christmas Eve - and that Arsenal v Liverpool is most likely to be one of their 'picks'. We are informed that no final decision has been taken, and at the moment any Premier League club could end up playing on this day.
This cannot happen, and no fixtures should be scheduled for that day. It is bad enough that fans have to frequently change plans and/or lose money due to TV broadcasters messing with football, but to do so on a day where many people will have Christmas plans and will be with (or travelling to see) family or loved ones is completely irresponsible. It should also be noted that many transport routes close early on Christmas Eve, which could leave thousands of fans stranded or facing nightmare journeys and added expense, trying to get home.
It is not only the fans who would be affected by such a move. Club employees, stewards, catering and security staff, plus policing, local authority and additional transport staff needed to put on such fixtures... many people would face massive inconvenience.
Fans and those who help put on the game in this country do not share in the vast riches of the Premier League, nor have Premier League footballer lifestyles or wages. Televising matches on Christmas Eve would be a further case of taking and giving very little back.
Sky, BT Sport, the Premier League and the decision makers at our football clubs have to recognise that while there may be a televised slot available, staging this on Christmas Eve is unacceptable and a step too far.
Supporters should be included in any decisions to make such drastic changes to our fixture calendar and this is not something to be taken lightly. We together with supporters' groups across the country have already campaigned successfully for cheaper away tickets and will continue to work to ensure that matchgoing fans - the lifeblood of the game - are treated with due respect.
Matchgoing football supporters in England, especially at Premier League level, are getting increasingly used to the inconvenience of fixtures being moved to suit television companies. Changes are made with little or no respect to the fans who pay thousands of pounds to support their team home and away, and too often we see people losing hard-earned money as a result of Sky, BT Sport or other broadcasters making late changes to the fixture schedule.
Recent news has broken that this year, Sky are looking to stage a 'Super Sunday' on Christmas Eve - and that Arsenal v Liverpool is most likely to be one of their 'picks'. We are informed that no final decision has been taken, and at the moment any Premier League club could end up playing on this day.
This cannot happen, and no fixtures should be scheduled for that day. It is bad enough that fans have to frequently change plans and/or lose money due to TV broadcasters messing with football, but to do so on a day where many people will have Christmas plans and will be with (or travelling to see) family or loved ones is completely irresponsible. It should also be noted that many transport routes close early on Christmas Eve, which could leave thousands of fans stranded or facing nightmare journeys and added expense, trying to get home.
It is not only the fans who would be affected by such a move. Club employees, stewards, catering and security staff, plus policing, local authority and additional transport staff needed to put on such fixtures... many people would face massive inconvenience.
Fans and those who help put on the game in this country do not share in the vast riches of the Premier League, nor have Premier League footballer lifestyles or wages. Televising matches on Christmas Eve would be a further case of taking and giving very little back.
Sky, BT Sport, the Premier League and the decision makers at our football clubs have to recognise that while there may be a televised slot available, staging this on Christmas Eve is unacceptable and a step too far.
Supporters should be included in any decisions to make such drastic changes to our fixture calendar and this is not something to be taken lightly. We together with supporters' groups across the country have already campaigned successfully for cheaper away tickets and will continue to work to ensure that matchgoing fans - the lifeblood of the game - are treated with due respect.
