Christmas Eve football, eh?
There hasn’t been a Premier League game on December 24 since 1995 but that could be about to change this year because, apparently, Sky Sports are eager to feature at least one match on Christmas Eve, which just so happens to fall on a Sunday in 2017.
The opportunity existed to broadcast top-flight games on Christmas Eve in both 2000 and 2006 but it was turned down, however, The Telegraph reports that Sky Sports are considering doing so with Arsenal vs. Liverpool as part of a Super Sunday show.
The broadcaster’s deal with the Premier League entitles them to show games each Sunday and they usually reserve that slot for the so-called bigger ties in that round of fixtures.
Liverpool’s trip to the Emirates would undoubtedly be the stand-out fixture in that gameweek and it’s understood that an announcement could be made next month which will confirm the first live Premier League game on Christmas Eve in 22 years.
While that possibility will come as a welcome boost for supporters watching from the comfort of their couches, it will prove a logistical nightmare for hardcore Reds supporters who had planned on travelling down to London for the tie.
A statement from Liverpool supporters website Spirit of Shankly said: “It is our understanding that Arsenal have been asked if they can staff such a fixture and the Metropolitan Police have been asked for their view.
“We hope that common sense will prevail and that both clubs, police, television companies and the Premier League decide against such a move.
“Changing to Christmas Eve would have an untold impact on staff and supporters, particularly away supporters. Supporters would be faced with the prospect of getting home in the early hours of Christmas morning.
“We are in the process of contacting the relevant personnel to make it clear that it would be completely unacceptable to expect supporters to travel back from the capital at that time.
“Like the corresponding fixture (where Euston station was closed for the Bank Holiday weekend) no thought was given to away supporters travelling to the match.”
