Arsenal and Liverpool’s Christmas Eve clash may not go ahead because the Gunners are finding it difficult to round up enough stewards.
Sky are planning on moving Arsenal and Liverpool’s 23 December clash to Christmas Eve, despite fans from all 20 Premier League club opposing the decision.
However, while the change hasn’t yet been confirmed, the festive fixture potentially has another obstacle in its way as Arsenal are struggling to round up the required number of stewards for the Premier League clash, claims the Telegraph.
For safety reasons, the match will need a certain amount of personnel to be available to keep the Christmas crowds under control and since many will have the 24 December booked off, it makes sense that hardly any will be available.
Not that fans would mind. I’m yet to see one who actually wants the Christmas Eve kick-off to go ahead. The trains won’t be running properly, so those traveling from Merseyside could get stuck in London for the holiday, and the entire idea just seems like a recipe for disaster.
With this in mind, Liverpool FC are set to oppose the plans, according to the Liverpool Echo.
There’s not been a Premier League match played on Christmas Eve since 1995, when Leeds beat Manchester United.
While Boxing Day football is a British tradition, the day before Christmas is far from ideal.