The announcement and confirmation that Chelsea’s Premier League fixture versus Wolverhampton Wanderers will now take place on Christmas Eve is disappointing and frustrating in equal measure. Sunday transport is a challenge at the best of times. But Sunday transport coupled with Christmas Eve schedules? A nightmare before Christmas. Burnley FC Supporters Groups consider the decision to move the Wolves v Chelsea game to a Christmas Eve date as a hugely disappointing one. It is disappointing that the decision to hold a match on Christmas Eve has been made and fully support the FSA in their response to this.

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This decision can not go unchallenged, and those responsible must look into their souls and see a beating heart and not a beating bank balance! Throughout the whole of the Covid period when football was played behind closed doors, we were constantly told that ‘football is nothing without the fans’. It is now time for those very fans to be put at the forefront of decisions regarding TV games. We join our colleagues at The FSA and across the Premier League Network in condemning this decision. The decision has been made with little regard for the match going supporters. We support the Football Supporters Association and Chelsea Supporters Trust in opposing the principle of Premier League Football matches being played on Christmas Eve, this fixture change now impacts on our Boxing Day match. We will be seeking a direct meeting with the Premier League, alongside our colleagues at Chelsea Supporters Trust and the FSA.Players, club and hospitality staff, public service workers, emergency workers, people who work in the media – they will all have to make themselves available and change their plans.

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The footballing powers that be need to think about the implications of their decision to schedule this fixture, how it will impact those who cannot or will not attend, and what it means for those who have no choice but to attend. Or maybe they already did but decided to schedule the match anyway! On behalf of our association and all disabled supporters, there is a total disregard for supporters to be with their families on Christmas Eve.

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The cost of living crisis continues to affect us all, and increasing the demands on loyal fans from both Wolves and Chelsea at a time of year that provides additional challenges is and should have been avoidable. The Premier League has not held a fixture on this date for 28 years; why does it need to do so now? This is clearly not acceptable and we urge the Premier League and the broadcasters to come together and solve this issue and select matches for dates which give match-going fans sufficient notice to ensure they are able to watch their team play.