City fury as revised festive fixtures hit preparation time

Champions say Premier League integrity at stake Fan groups add concern about TV kick-off times

Manchester City have accused the Premier League of threatening the “sporting integrity” of the competition after condemning a Christmas fixture list they fear could give a helping hand to Liverpool.

City and Liverpool are widely expected to contest another fierce battle for the championship. They are due to meet at Anfield next month before a hectic run of games over the festive period, when Liverpool must also play Club World Cup matches in Qatar on Dec 18 and 21.

But City have reacted furiously to a fixture change that they believe will handicap them in their quest for a third successive title and potentially boost Liverpool’s prospects in the process.

The champions’ match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux has been pushed back a day from Boxing Day, with a 7.45pm kick-off. That will give Pep Guardiola and his players less than 48 hours to prepare for their game at home to Sheffield United, which has now been scheduled to kick off at 6pm on Dec 29.

The situation, which involves a tighter turnaround than almost every other top-flight club, has been compounded by the fact it will also leave Wolves with less time to prepare for their trip to Anfield.

With Liverpool facing Leicester City at 8pm on Boxing Day, Jurgen Klopp’s side will have had an extra 24 hours’ rest ahead of their game at home to Wolves, which is due to kick off at 4.30pm on Dec 29.

The move has incensed City and led Omar Berrada, the club’s chief operating officer, to launch a withering assault on the Premier League. “We’re disappointed that the schedule is so tight for the players over Christmas,” he told the Manchester Evening News.

“Premier League games are a huge physical demand. It’s not ideal to be made to play twice in less than 48 hours because it doesn’t give the players time to properly recover.

“We obviously understand that the paying rights-holding broadcasters are an important consideration, but we also need to make sure we protect the players’ well-being, the sporting integrity of the league, and the quality of the product.”

As part of their discussions with the Premier League, City are believed to have explored the possibility of pushing back their game against Sheffield United, but with no solution reached, they recognise they will have to comply with the schedule listed.

City’s anger could further inflame tensions with Liverpool, which have grown in recent years, although supporters of the Merseyside club are unhappy with the scheduling of their Boxing Day game at Leicester.

Spirit of Shankly, a Liverpool supporters’ group, has urged the Premier League and Amazon Prime, which will exclusively televise all nine top-flight fixtures on Dec 26, to rethink the 8pm kick-off. With reduced public transport and no trains running between the cities, Liverpool are offering free coach travel, although charging a £5 reservation fee, with proceeds going to a local charity.

“Once again there is scant, if any, consideration given to match-going supporters and those employed at the stadiums,” a statement on the Spirit of Shankly website said.

“Both sets of supporters will encounter difficulty getting to and from the stadium. [Liverpool fans] will not get home until after midnight and the following day is back to work for many. Let’s not forget the Leicester employees and those working in public services. How will they get there and get home? We call on the authorities to do the right thing and revert all Boxing Day fixtures to a sensible kick-off time. We suggest 3pm.”

The latest schedule changes have also raised concern and frustration among fan groups.

Kevin Miles, the Football Supporters’ Federation chief executive, said: “In some ways, fans have been softened up for this, but it’s taking advantage of the match-going fan. The fans play an integral part of what the Premier League is selling to broadcasters.”

Miles cited the example facing fans of the club he supports, Newcastle United. “Our match against Aston Villa has been moved to a Monday night. It’s the 14th consecutive away Monday night fixture for Newcastle. Someone has taken the decision that those daft Geordies will travel anywhere, any time, so we can get away with it.

“There is a real danger that moving matches disrupts the ability to be able to plan travel and your life.”

The Premier League was contacted for comment.

Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has warned that a proposal by Juventus president Andrea Agnelli to increase the number of Champions League group games will lead to player burnout. “I don’t believe you can fit them [extra games] in our busy schedule,” he said. “I would find it hard to keep the quality level and the freshness within the players.”