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Labour Party intervene on proposals for Newcastle to play on Christmas Eve

6 years ago
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Great to see the Labour Party intervening on the disgraceful proposals that could see Newcastle United and other club playing games on Christmas Eve.

Recent days have seen reports that games scheduled for Saturday 23 December could be moved to the Sunday, leaving supporters with the task of getting to and from games on Christmas Eve.

Matches that have been most talked about as being targeted by the broadcasters, are West Ham v Newcastle and Arsenal v Liverpool.

Two main issues really, the fact that public transport on Christmas Eve will not be brilliant, plus the other small matter of most of us having plenty other non-football stuff to do on that particular day of the year.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a Labour Party supporter or not, it is only right and proper that politicians should get involved in matters that concern the general public, many of whom happen to be football fans.

The BBC have got hold of a copy of a letter (see below) that the Labour Party’s Tom Watson (Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) has written to Premier League Chairman Richard Scudamore.

The Premier League released dates at the start of the season detailing when Sky and BT Sport will release each new wave of live TV games.

These are approximate but for December and January live TV changes, they are due to be announced on or around 12 October (next Thursday).

Tom Watson’s letter to Richard Scudamore:

Dear Richard,

I’m writing to you today to express my concern over recent discussions surrounding proposed Premier League fixture changes on Christmas Eve this year.

I’m sure you are fully aware of the strength of feeling from supporters over the proposal to move one or possibly two games from the 23 December to 24 December this year.

The games under discussion, Arsenal vs Liverpool and reportedly West Ham vs Newcastle United would normally represent two of the longest round trips for away fans on a normal match day.

I have already raised fans’ concerns about fixtures scheduled in such a way which precludes fans from travelling to and from games by public transport. It is a problem which only seems to be increasing in frequency.

Given that Sundays often have restricted public transport, this problematic situation will only be exacerbated by the Christmas rail schedules.

There’s a real danger that some travelling fans would not be able to get home until the early hours of Christmas Day, whilst hundreds of stadium staff and workers would be expected to work rather than spending time with their families at this time of year.

I accept that televised football on a Sunday, and over the Christmas period in guise of Boxing Day fixtures are a well-established part of the football calendar but I urge you to recognise the concerns of fans, staff and families about the Christmas Eve proposals and enter into a dialogue with supporters and broadcasters, so we can preserve the special occasion of Christmas Eve and make sure fans are not forced to choose between their loved ones and their team at this time of year.

Yours sincerely

Tom Watson MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

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