This probably won’t go down well with travelling supporters or Jose Mourinho.
Leicester City and Manchester United are “under pressure” to move their Premier League game from December 23 to Christmas Eve, according to The Daily Telegraph.
The Foxes are due to host United at the King Power Stadium on Saturday December 23, but Sky Sports want to stage a match on Sunday December 24.
Arsenal’s game with Liverpool, due to be played on December 23, was mooted as a potential 3pm kick-off on Christmas Eve. But issues were raised regarding stewarding and away fans attending the match on such a busy day for people travelling throughout the country. The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust opposed the Christmas Eve fixture with a 99 percent majority.
Leicester’s fixture with United could pose similar issues, and there are also concerns about putting more pressure on the emergency services at a time of the year when they are already very busy. The Telegraph report that both cubs are “pushing back” against the proposals by Sky Sports, which have the support of the Premier League.
According to the report:
“Under the terms of its deal, Sky would lose its ‘Super Sunday’ pick if it moves the game back to a Saturday. The broadcaster televises three games a weekend, one on a Saturday and two on a Sunday. BT Sport have one game on a Saturday, the 5.30pm kick-off.”
A final decision has yet to be made, and we should know more about the situation over the coming weeks.
The last time there was a Premier League fixture on Christmas Eve was back in 1995. Leeds United hosted Manchester United live on Sky Sports, and won the game 3-1.
