Fans groups affiliated with the Football Supporters Association have been expressing their anger at the delays in announcing which games have been selected for TV broadcast and when they will be played when football returns on Boxing Day after the World Cup.

The TV selections for December and January covering the busy Christmas and New Year periods were due to be published by Friday 11th October, but at the time of publishing were 13 days late.

This has meant many fans wanting to book travel to games in the busy December period are potentially losing out on cheaper travel options.

Premier League officials have been unable to provide a concrete date or time for the TV fixtures announcement, despite requests from the Football Supporters Association and various club-specific fan groups.

And over the weekend, supporter groups across the league criticised the latest delay.

TV delays, what fans say

Aston Villa Supporters’ Trust:
Nearly 2 weeks on, televised fixtures for the festive and New Year period still haven’t been released. Premier League get your act together. Fans can’t plan their travel arrangements and we deserve better!

Wolves 1877 Trust:
We, like many supporters groups, are deeply concerned that the festive and New Year period fixtures except for Boxing Day haven’t yet been finalised; 12 days after they ought to have been by the Premier League.

Fans NEED time to fully plan ahead and make the relevant arrangements on accommodation and travel and balancing family commitments over the festive period. This waiting time is totally unacceptable and the Premier League must confirm times and dates ASAP.

West Ham United Supporters’ Trust:
Now 10 days late — lack of consideration for supporters is unacceptable — we deserve better than this- football is nothing without match going fans.

Arsenal Supporters’ Trust:
The fixtures for Boxing Day & the New Year’s period were supposed to be confirmed 10 days ago. We’re still waiting for news from the Premier League — fans need to plan ahead, transport, & hotel all while balancing their family commitments over the festive period.

Newcastle United Supporters Trust:
10 days.

That’s how long the Premier League are passed their own announcement date for fixtures at Christmas and in January.

At one of the most expensive times of the year, fixtures being released on time is vital. More must be done by the league, clubs and broadcasters.

More information on this can be found at the Football Supporters Association website including how you can join using this link below.

https://thefsa.org.uk/

Photo: Action Images

SalisburySaint added 07:38 - Oct 25 Christmas and New Year games were actually announced yesterday, before this article went online, although most of January games which should also have been announced we’re not However you are right to raise this issue, as the TV dates are continually announced later than they should be, and also Chelsea fans have had to twice wait until 2 weeks prior to home games to have the date and quick off times confirmed,the latest being the Man U game last Saturday. The Premier League and TV companies are showing, utter disdain for supporters who attend games, and FSA and other supporters organisations need to continue to complain about this process.

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mattthelegend added 19:25 - Oct 25 Whatever happened to “ footballs nothing without the fans” more empty rhetoric from the Premier League and TV companies.
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