Clubs’ fury over festive fixtures
PREMIER League giants are locked in a bitter row over the “horrific” festive TV schedule.
Sky, BT Sport and Amazon n have yet to announce their December fixture lists because the clubs have been arguing over the pile- up of games. Liverpool boss Jurgen n Klopp, right, has already publicly
sounded off about this season’s fixtures but other clubs have also voiced their objections about the Christmas and new year games, with a source describing the schedule as “horrific”.
The broadcasters were hoping to announce the December games yesterday but it will now be later this week while clubs jostle for slots as some face the prospect of playing three games in seven days, but also two in the space of 72 hours. Sky has the pick of the Boxing Day fixtures, Amazon has December 28 and BT Sport has the new year games but, because all matches are being shown live, they are trying to move dates to squeeze them in.
That has left some of the bigger clubs furious at their scheduling because they have been moved.
But broadcasters are annoyed at the spat because they are of the view that, as the clubs signed up to the TV deal, managers should be aiming their anger at their own clubs’ executives or the Premier League hierarchy.
No team voiced any concerns at the start of the season about the Saturday lunchtime kick- off slot while the clubs also knew this season’s fixture list would be condensed after Project Restart last season.
They are annoyed that there is a slanging match now because the clubs did not complain when they signed up to the multibillion- pound deal. Klopp’s public annoyance has been backed by Brighton chief executive
Paul Barber who said: “Liverpool, I counted up, may have eight games in 28 days.
“Jurgen’s got a very tough job, as has Graham Potter [ at Brighton], as have all the e managers up and down the country in all the leagues. s.
“It’s a congested fixture programme because we’ve got a condensed season.”