Chelsea have offered their support to fans who are campaigning to stop Sky from scheduling televised Premier League matches on Christmas Eve.
It is understood that Sky, who will announce their festive schedule on October 16, hope to broadcast two matches on December 24 despite opposition from supporters and clubs.
Liverpool’s visit to Arsenal is believed to be the broadcaster’s first-choice game despite the travel chaos it would pose for visiting fans. However Sky’s plans could be derailed if the Gunners are unable to guarantee the required number of stewards for a game to earn a safety certificate.
Chelsea are scheduled to face Everton on December 23 and their fans could face the same difficulties Liverpool supporters fear if Sky were to move their match.
The Chelsea Supporters Trust raised concerns over that prospect earlier this month and have had those fears echoed by the club.
A statement from Chelsea said: “The Chelsea Supporters Trust wrote to the club this week expressing its objections to fixtures being scheduled to be played on Christmas Eve, an idea they are opposed to ‘due to the inherent travel difficulties and disruption to what is regarded as sacrosanct family time’.
“The club is sympathetic to our supporters’ objections and it is a subject we have raised with the Premier League.”
Though several clubs have expressed their reluctance at the prospect of having to play on Christmas Eve they are ultimately powerless to stop the games going ahead if the Premier League gives the green light to Sky’s plans.
Standard Sport revealed last week that rescheduling of Arsenal’s game against Liverpool would leave fans with the prospect of being stranded away from home on Christmas Day, with the last train from Euston to Liverpool and vice-versa currently scheduled to run at approximately 6pm.
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