Premier League games on Christmas Eve officially off following fan protests as BT Sport and Sky Sports release their schedules for December
- The television schedule for December's football fixtures has been released
- There will be no games on Christmas Eve following backlash from supporters
- The Manchester derby has been moved to Sunday, December 10
- Liverpool and Everton will also meet in the Merseyside Derby on the same day
The Premier League have bowed to supporter pressure after confirming no fixtures will be played on Christmas Eve.
Plans to play games on December 24 were in the pipeline, with Arsenal versus Liverpool and Leicester against Manchester United among the games considered for the date.
However after a fan backlash, the Premier League have decided against scheduling games any for Christmas Eve.
Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola will go head-to-head at Old Trafford on December 10
The Merseyside derby is also set to be played on the same day as part of a bumper afternoon
Instead, Liverpool's visit to the Emirates Stadium will kick-off at 7.45pm on Friday, December 22. United's trip to the King Power Stadium will take place 24 hours later.
The news will come as a huge relief to all clubs facing the prospect of having to play on Christmas Eve.
In addition to the risk of travel chaos for travelling supporters, host clubs Arsenal and Leicester were facing staffing problems given dozens of workers would find it difficult to work on December 24.
Mauricio Pochettino and Harry Kane's Tottenham will be televised on five occasions
A Premier League statement read: 'There will be no Premier League fixtures on Sunday, December 24. Four matches have been selected for live UK coverage that weekend, with three to be televised on Saturday, December 23.'
In confirming their would be no games played on Christmas Eve, the Premier League also confirmed its televised games for the month of December.
The Manchester and Merseyside derbies will be shown back-to-back on Sky Sports on December 10; with United and City meeting at Old Trafford at 4.30pm, a little more than two hours after Liverpool and Everton face-off at Anfield.
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