‘Not fair’ - Newcastle United, Man United & Aston Villa groups slam Premier League after ‘shocking’ change

Newcastle United supporters have united with groups from Manchester United, Arsenal and all other 17 Premier League clubs to call on the Premier League to reverse the decision to hold a match on Christmas Eve.

The Premier League and broadcasters Sky Sports have elected to move the meeting between Chelsea and Wolves to December 24 at 1 pm. It's the first time a fixture has been held the day before Christmas in 28 years and the decision has come under fire from supporters at both clubs, as well as every other top-flight slide.

The Newcastle United Supporters Trust issued a statement which read: "The Newcastle United Supporters Trust opposes football matches being played on Christmas Eve. There have been no football matches played on Christmas Eve for 28 years and it shouldn't start now!

"Christmas Eve is a special time for families getting together and not for football. Christmas Eve matchdays affect everybody; fans, players, club staff, public service workers and emergency workers who will all have to make themselves available for the event. It is not fair to them.

"It is not fair that the rest of society who will be significantly affected by the diversion of public and private resources on this already very busy day. We also question if there is demand for watching football either in person or on television on Christmas Eve.

"We urge the Premier League and Premier League clubs to think again and put families first."

Newcastle United supporters online labelled the statement as 'absolutely correct' and were in 'total agreement'. While some pointed out that matches on Christmas Eve may not be too similar to those on Boxing Day, another wrote: "Many European players will traditionally have Xmas celebrations with family in Xmas Eve … this would be a gross impingement on players and team staff, friends families and fans. I back this."

The Football Supporters' Association (FSA) moved to bring together supporter groups from all 20 Premier League clubs in opposition to play matches on Christmas Eve. The FSA said: “The Premier League has delivered an early present which no one actually wanted in the shape of a Christmas Eve fixture. The FSA and our supporters groups have consistently told the league this is a bad idea and they have totally ignored match-goers.

“They’ve put money first, fans last, and we’ll be looking at ways to make that crystal clear to the Premier League and TV companies. It’s shocking scheduling and we’re in discussion with our members at Chelsea, Wolves and other supporters groups on the next steps.”

Over the festive period Newcastle United travel to Luton Town on December 23 at 3 pm before hosting Nottingham Forest at St James' Park at 12:30 pm on Boxing Day. The Magpies then travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool at 8 pm on New Year's Day.