Sky Sports and the Premier League face a further backlash from supporters after it emerged not one but TWO fixtures could be switched to Christmas Eve this year.

Liverpool fans have already reacted furiously to the news the Reds’ trip to London to face Arsenal could be put back a day to Sunday 24 December for live television coverage.

But they might not be the only set of away fans facing an arduous trip home on the night before Christmas, with bigwigs at the broadcaster looking to fill another of the live slots open to them on that Sunday.

Liverpool fans don't want to be leaving the Emirates with just six hours of Christmas Eve left (
Image:
Getty)

Discussions between the Premier League, Sky Sports, the Metropolitan Police, Arsenal and Liverpool are already underway regarding a 4pm kick-off at the Emirates on Christmas Eve.

The visitors' Spirit of Shankly fans group has condemned the proposal, saying it shows “zero regard” for supporters.

The Premier League ideally want that game to kick off at 3pm rather than 4pm to allow supporters more time to get home.

Chelsea fans won't be going "Ho-ho-ho!" if their trip to Everton gets chosen (
Image:
PA)

But, having sold rights packages and time slots to Sky, which are very lucrative for all of their clubs, they are hardly in a position to start dictating when games should and shouldn’t be scheduled once a deal has started — and especially at such a late stage.

The proposed second game would take the earlier lunchtime slot.

Spurs fans such as this bloke would face a gruelling trip south from Burnley (
Image:
PA)

But should Sky Sports pick one of Huddersfield’s trip to Southampton, Newcastle’s visit to West Ham, Chelsea at Everton or Tottenham’s game at Burnley, the away fans involved will face a mammoth journey home.

A decision over the Christmas fixtures will be taken over the next few weeks, when TV picks for the festive period are confirmed.

The last time a top-flight game took place a day before Christmas was 22 years ago, when Manchester United went to Leeds.

Christmas Eve also fell on a Sunday in 2000 and 2006, but on both occasions the decision was taken not to switch any games to that date.

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