Taken for a ride
Fan fury at late Toon match switch
FOOTBALL authorities are facing questions with Newcastle United fans being left out of pocket after their trip to Everton was moved for television coverage.
The match, originally scheduled for Saturday April 21, has now been switched to Monday April 23 with an 8pm kick-off time.
Sky Sports have chosen to broadcast the Magpies’ trip to Goodison Park - causing yet more disruption for the travelling Toon Army.
It is the 11th time the Magpies have been chosen for television coverage away from home this season, causing more problems for fans who have already paid for accommodation and travel. Newcastle United supporter group Wor Flags were quick to voice their disdain, labelling the decision a
‘kick in the face’ for away supporters. In a statement, they said: “Once again the travelling supporters have had travel plans ruined, resulting in money chucked down the drain. This latest change adds to a long list of problems we’ve had with Sky Sports, whose lack of consideration for supporters is nothing short of a disgrace.
“Tickets were already on sale meaning fans were under the assumption the game couldn’t be moved, and since it is less than the five weeks that Sky themselves say fixtures will be announced by, this is another kick in the face to loyal fans that travel.”
The decision was also slammed by the Football Supporters’ Federation. A spokesperson for the group said: “Once again it’s the most dedicated match-going fans who are clobbered to serve the interests of TV broadcasters.” Gates- head MP Ian Mearns leads the group’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for football supporters in Parliament and he has called for fans left out of pocket by the fixture change to be compensated.
“We have this party group for football supporters in Parliament with the Football Supporters Federation as our Secretariat,” Mearns explained.
“Our last meeting but one was about TV rescheduling football matches. We were given all of these undertakings from Sky, the Premier League, the FA - that they were going to try and minimise it as much as possible.
“Almost straight away - these tickets have already been on sale for Newcastle fans travelling to Everton.
“They have already booked trains, buses have been booked by supporter groups and yet it is changed to a Monday night when the vast majority of supporters will have work to deal with.”
The decision to move the match was taken after discussions between Everton, Newcastle, Sky Sports and the Premier League.
They have moved Arsenal’s home game against West Ham - which was initially picked for the Monday night slot - on account of their Europa League commitments, which meant they may face games on a Monday and Thursday if they progress past CSKA Moscow in the competition’s quarter-finals. The Premier League say they want to help English clubs in Europe.
This left a slot on Monday to fill - Sky say they are obligated to show 126 matches per year - and Newcastle’s match at Everton was the one chosen for it.
Asked why it was taken at such late notice, Sky said they faced “unprecedented” demands trying to make TV fixture selections for April.
Newcastle, who agreed to the match being moved, will receive £1.1m for the game being moved for TV. Everton, who were also consulted, say they are liasing with fan groups “to assist with issues arising from the timing of the fixture change announcement”.
The club confirmed they would refund fans who could not make the new date. A statement read: “Supporters who have purchased tickets but are unable to attend on the new date should contact the box office with the key, relevant details to help identify the sale, and they will be given a full refund.”
The club were not available for further comment.