Everton supporter blasts 'disgraceful' Arsenal TV fixture change

Everton supporter blasts 'disgraceful' Arsenal TV fixture change - 'Killing football'

Everton supporter Steve Zocek has hit out after the away game at Arsenal was moved for a second time just 15 days before the fixture

Everton supporter Steve Zocek has blasted television schedulers after the Blues’ trip to Arsenal was moved for a second time, just 15 days prior to the fixture, having already been given a new slot.

Everton’s away match with the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium was originally supposed to take place at 3pm on Saturday March 14. However, in late January, the game was switched to Sky Sports’ 2pm kick-off slot on Sunday March 15.

That decision prompted many fans such as Mr Zocek to make their travel plans, but with Arsenal’s Champions League round of 16 second leg at home to Bayer Leverkusen now being played on Tuesday March 17, on Friday February 27, Everton’s game at the Emirates reverted back to Saturday March 14, but in Sky’s 5:30pm television slot with the ECHO understanding that Hill Dickinson Stadium chiefs fought against being given an 8pm kick-off time.

The rearrangement now means there are two 5:30pm matches, with Chelsea v Newcastle United being played at the same time, both on Sky Sports, while West Ham United v Manchester City kicks off at 8pm on Saturday on TNT. There are three games kicking off at 2pm on Sunday: Crystal Palace v Leeds United; Manchester United v Aston Villa; Nottingham Forest v Fulham, all being shown on Sky Sports.

Everton’s Premier League home game with Arsenal back in December was also subject to late rescheduling and Mr Zocek, from Burtonwood, who is also a prolific Everton author, having penned titles such as Kendall’s Glory Years, Goodison Memories and For The Boys In The Royal Blue Jersey, says he’s had enough. He told the ECHO: “Changing the day and the kick-off time for a match for the second time – after you’ve already altered it once for television coverage – little more than a fortnight before it is played is disgraceful. However, we’re fighting a monster here.

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“Maybe some of the younger generation, who have been brought up only knowing the Premier League are used to this, but I’ve been supporting Everton for six decades now, following them all around the country. Those who are making the decisions are giving no respect or consideration to the match-going supporters.

“Instead, they’re looking after the armchair fans who are sat at home in the comfort of their living rooms, either paying their satellite television subscriptions, or in some cases, not even forking out at all because they’re watching the games on a dodgy stick! In contrast, I’m now out of pocket – and there will be many others in the same boat too – having had to cancel my train bookings.

“I have expressed my sentiments in an emailed letter to Sky. I have told them that we, as fans, were here long before you started transmitting games to homes.

“They always say how fans inside stadiums are a necessity, yet in reality, these days we are nothing more than TV extras. These decisions are killing football.”

The ECHO had contacted Sky Sports.

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