The Premier League has confirmed that any matches scheduled for Christmas Eve will kick off before 4pm, following discussions with the Football Supporters Federation (FSF). The decision comes after the FSF criticised the potential move of fixtures to Christmas Eve for television broadcast as prioritising broadcasters over fans.
Richard Scudamore, the Premier League's executive chairman, gave the guarantee to the FSF, which welcomed the development. Kevin Miles, the FSF's chief executive, noted that while Christmas Eve is a working day for many, late kick-offs would cause difficulties with public transport and family commitments.
The FSF and Premier League have agreed to hold biannual meetings, with representatives from all 20 clubs attending Tuesday's session. Miles said the dialogue is establishing a basis for genuine understanding, even when opinions differ.
Arsenal's match against Liverpool has been mooted as a potential candidate for Christmas Eve, a prospect criticised by Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. The final decision on which games, if any, will be played on Christmas Eve is expected on 19 October, with New Year fixtures possibly announced a week later.
Additionally, the Premier League is unlikely to schedule its biggest matches for Saturday evening prime time in the next TV rights cycle, as Scudamore expressed doubts about broadcaster appetite for such a slot. However, midweek matches may still be scheduled simultaneously.
