Fans petition over fixture changes
THE Footballers Supporters’ Federation has lodged a petition calling for fans to be given at least six weeks’ notice of fixtures that will be rescheduled for live TV coverage.
Newcastle United fans, as well as those of the 19 other top-flight clubs, are still waiting to hear which of their February fixtures will be televised - despite the Premier League having claimed at the start of the season that they would be announced on December 12.
That was the third consecutive fixture announcement deadline that Sky Sports and BT Sport have failed to meet - with the TV selections for December and the festive period only arriving a full 23 days after they were supposed to be confirmed.
The Premier League and its two pay-for broadcasters committed to ensuring fans would be given at least six weeks’ notice of fixture changes, but they are failing to meet that promise at the moment.
As a result, the FSF has decided to write to the Premier League, Sky Sports and BT Sport, as well as lodge a petition, according to The Daily Mail.
It is reported that 12 Premier League supporters’ groups have already pledged their support and Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust is among those to back the call.
The petition, launched on website change.org, states: “This petition calls for broadcasters of Premier League football in England (Sky Sports and BT Sport) to give football supporters adequate notice of televised fixtures which alter dates and times of games and therefore affect the ability of fans to book travel.
“The notice of fixture changes offered to fans is becoming increasingly shortened, with neither the Premier League nor Sky Sports/BT Sport seeking to apologise for missing publication dates or informing fans of how long delays to publishing dates will be. The supporters affected are often subscribers to their platforms, too.
“We call on the Premier League and its television partners to adhere to published deadlines for matches selected for broadcast; to compensate supporters who are financially affected by delays to announcements of these dates; and to issue clear communications to supporters when deadlines are missed.”