Liverpool fans are set to protest Sky Sports’ plans to move one of our games, the one against Arsenal at the Emirates from 23 December to Christmas Eve. The plan has been called as showing no regard for the supporters, and this is not the first time our games have been scheduled to cause a fixture pileup.
The Guardian reports that the proposal sees our game move from 23 December to 24 December as a 4 PM kick-off. However, the problem lies with the fact that the last train from London Euston to Liverpool leaves at 9.21 PM on the same day but would arrive at Lime Street in the early hours of Christmas Day.
Sky Sports have not announced their fixture list for the holiday season but there are suggestions that the sports channel wants to have a live game on Christmas Eve, which could have major repercussions for the rest of the fixtures we have in that time period.
Sky are paying close to £11m per Premier League game under their current deal but the final decision to hold the game on Christmas Eve will be taken by the Premier League, so there still is hope for us.
The proposal hasn’t gone down too well with the Spirit of Shankly group which shared a statement voicing their concerns. They said,
“It is our understanding that Arsenal have been asked if they can staff such a fixture and the Metropolitan police have been approached for their view. Changing the date to Christmas Eve would have untold impact on staff and supporters, particularly away fans. Depending on kick-off time, and depleted public transport links, the majority of travelling Liverpool supporters would not get home until the early hours of Christmas morning.
“SOS are contacting relevant personnel to put forward our case that it is completely unacceptable to expect fans to travel for a match at this time. The suggestion of such a change again shows zero regard for supporters – much like the corresponding fixture where Euston station was closed over Bank Holiday weekend.”
Sky had the chance to do a similar live match in 2000 and 2006 but declined. However, an Arsenal vs Liverpool game might be too big for them to say no to. We also have to face Swansea City on Boxing Day and then play Leicester City on 30 December, finishing off our games for 2017.
