Chelsea’s Premier League trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers could take place on Christmas Eve, the first time the division will have a match on that date since 1995.
The fixture, which is likely to be a lunchtime kick-off, is part of the 18th round of Premier League games this season, with most matches falling on Saturday, December 23.
But the league has taken the decision to move Wolves vs Chelsea to the Sunday for broadcast on television, making it the first Christmas Eve game since Manchester United’s trip to Leeds United in 1995, when Tony Yeboah scored a remarkable solo goal in a 3-1 win for Howard Wilkinson’s side.
The Premier League’s agreement with broadcasters gives clubs no veto over fixture changes. Once broadcasters make their selections, police approval is the only remaining hurdle to overcome.
The Premier League’s traditional Boxing Day (December 26) fixtures return, which form part of the 19th round of fixtures.
The prospect of moving games to Christmas Eve is likely to prove a particularly controversial announcement for travelling Chelsea fans planning to make the journey from London to Wolverhampton.
When the possibility of Christmas Eve games was discussed in 2017, the Football Supporters Federation’s (FSF) Kevin Miles said: ” While we understand that it is a normal working day for many, the complications Christmas Eve brings, not least with the provision of public transport, means that a late afternoon or evening kick-off would be impossible for many supporters.”
GO DEEPER
Seb Hutchinson: ‘I needed to follow my childhood commentary dream’
(Photo: DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
