Premier League tells fans there will be NO 4pm kick-off on Christmas Eve
Liverpool's trip to Arsenal could still be first December 24 televised game in 22 years by kicking off at 12pm
THE Premier League has pledged NOT to televise a game at 4pm on Christmas Eve.
But Liverpool's trip to Arsenal is still poised to be the first top-flight clash in 22 years to be played on December 24.
There are ten matches scheduled for the 23rd and Sky have asked to move one back to 4pm on Christmas Eve.
But Prem chief exec Richard Scudamore says it is not going to happen after talks between clubs and police.
The last train leaves London Euston station for Liverpool Lime Street at 6.08pm - just minutes after the game is set to finish.
That still leaves the door ajar for the game to take place at lunchtime - which last happened of Christmas Eve of 1995 when Manchester United faced Leeds.
A Football Supporters' Federation statement read: "Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore commits to no 4pm KO on Xmas Eve following this morning's FSF Fans Group meeting."
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Before the international break, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called on Sky to consider the implications of scheduling a match on a date which he believes fans will have no appetite for.
He said: ''I really cannot imagine that anyone wants to watch football on that night."
Arsenal are thought to be mindful of the issues posed by hosting the match on Christmas Eve.
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There are staffing concerns over the guaranteed number of stewards needed for a match to be granted a safety certificate, as well as the disruption for all the supporters.
Last week week, the Chelsea Supporters Trust, backed by fellow fans' groups across Prem clubs, made its feelings on the matter clear, saying "football on Christmas Eve is unacceptable and is a step too far."
On Friday, Chelsea posted a statement on the club's official website expressing sympathy for the objections, which have been taken up with the Prem.
The statement was later taken down from Chelsea's official website.
It read: "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."