UK Edition
West Brom make formal complaint to Premier League over their 'terrible' fixture congestion
West Bromwich Albion have made a formal complaint to the Premier League over their "terrible" fixture congestion, ahead of Tuesday's game at West Ham.
Albion are furious after being asked to play twice in three days and pleaded for a postponement, with the game at West Ham coming just 51 hours after the visit of Arsenal on New Year's Eve.
John Williams, the West Brom chairman, has made robust representations to Premier League chief Richard Scudamore over the pile-up, with their frustration only increasing as West Ham have been without a game since Boxing Day.
West Ham were due to play Tottenham on New Years' Eve but the game was postponed for safety reasons. It is understood that Scudamore has responded to Albion's complaint and while the stance was sympathetic it has done little to ease the club's anger.
Albion's top brass were also left stunned and bemused when it emerged West Ham manager David Moyes conducted his pre-match press conference for the game before West Brom had even faced Arsenal at the Hawthorns on December 31.
Alan Pardew, the manager, has admitted he will be forced into making wholesale changes for a crucial fixture, with his team fighting against relegation.
"It's terrible. We all know there’s pressure on TV companies for ratings and everything else and games - I understand that. But the league’s got to be stronger and say two days is not right," he said.
"How we have got two days in Premier League professional football, putting players at risk in my opinion of injury? It's not right and we have had strong words with the league.
“It’ll be a tough game at West Ham , they’ve had six days’ rest. That is a bigger issue than anything.
“Of course I am making changes. There’s some players who won’t be able to cope with that. I’d be putting them at risk."
Pardew has become the latest Premier League manager to hit out at the schedule, with Arsene Wenger also criticising the governing body over the intense programme after the 1-1 draw.
Chelsea's Antonio Conte has also been a frequent critic - in November he bemoaned the congestion after his team were made to play Liverpool three days after a 6,000 mile round trip to Azerbaijan for their game against Qarabag in the Champions League.