No Premier League fixtures on Christmas Eve after fan backlash

The Premier League fixture between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium will not be moved to Christmas Eve after a backlash from supporters against the Sky TV-driven proposal.

Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year and Sky had wanted to schedule the game that night. Instead, it has moved the match to the evening of Friday, December 22nd with no games on Christmas Eve.

Fans had been furious about the plan, with Liverpool’s followers facing the prospect of being stuck in London for Christmas Day. There were also issues from Arsenal’s side relating to stewarding.

Arsenal will have a Carabao Cup quarter-final on either Tuesday 19th or Wednesday December 20th – if they beat Norwich City at home next Tuesday – which would not be ideal before the Liverpool match. Liverpool are out of the Carabao Cup, having lost at Leicester City last month.