The plan to make Arsenal and Liverpool play on Christmas Eve has been described as "a new low" by the Football Supporters' Federation.
At present, all 20 top flight teams are scheduled to play on Saturday December 23, but Sky have asked for one match—understood to be Liverpool's trip to the Emirates—to move to the following day.
While there has been no official confirmation from Sky or the Premier League, the Metropolitan Police have revealed discussions are ongoing between the clubs "and all parties concerned".
The proposed fixture change will disrupt travel and holiday plans for thousands of supporters, but particularly those travelling south from Liverpool.
Supporter groups from both clubs have raised objections to the idea and now the FSF has added its voice.
An FSF statement read: "Reports that Sky Sports are proposing to reschedule Premier League fixtures from Saturday 23rd December to Christmas Eve have been met with anger among football supporters, and represent a new low point in putting the interests of football broadcasters over those of match-going fans.
"In particular, the suggestion that Liverpool’s fixture away to Arsenal could kick off at 4pm on Christmas Eve could mean that fans of both clubs would be faced with the impossible choice between attending the game or delaying their plans for starting the festive season with family and friends, with the away team’s travelling fans unable to travel home by public transport afterwards."
Liverpool fan group Spirit of Shankly released a statement last week, which read: "Changing the date to Christmas Eve would have untold impact on staff and supporters, particularly away fans.
"Depending on kick-off time, and depleted public transport links, the majority of travelling Liverpool supporters would not get home until the early hours of Christmas morning."
The last Premier League fixture to take place on Christmas Eve was 22 years ago when Leeds hosted Manchester United. That fixture, however, was a midday kick-off.
Should Arsenal vs Liverpool be moved, their post-Christmas fixtures could also be affected. Arsene Wenger's side are due to travel to Crystal Palace on Boxing Day while Jurgen Klopp's Reds are set to host Swansea. Both of those matches could be moved to the 27th, causing further problems for fans who have already made travel plans.
FSF statement in full:
Reports that Sky Sports are proposing to reschedule Premier League fixtures from Saturday 23rd December to Christmas Eve have been met with anger among football supporters, and represent a new low point in putting the interests of football broadcasters over those of match-going fans.
In particular, the suggestion that Liverpool’s fixture away to Arsenal could kick off at 4pm on Christmas Eve could mean that fans of both clubs would be faced with the impossible choice between attending the game or delaying their plans for starting the festive season with family and friends, with the away team’s travelling fans unable to travel home by public transport afterwards.
Twice in recent years (2011 and 2016) Christmas Eve has fallen on a Saturday; in both those years the Premier League has not scheduled any fixtures for that day, presumably in recognition of the significance of the date. For broadcasters now to move fixtures to Christmas Eve, and on a Sunday at that, flies in the face of that policy.
Supporters’ representatives from clubs across the Premier League have expressed their clear opposition to moving games to Christmas Eve, and will continue to engage with both the Premier League, via our forthcoming biannual meeting, and with broadcasters, to register our discontent and to seek full involvement and consultation with supporters in determining future scheduling.
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