UK SHADOW SPORTS minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan has criticised the Premier League’s decision to move Everton’s away trip to Brighton this weekend from Saturday evening to the following afternoon.
A 1:30pm kick-off in the Amex Stadium this Sunday means that if traveling Everton fans were to catch the earliest possible train to Brighton – which requires five changeovers – they still would not make it to the south-coast city in time for kick-off. One leg of the 547-mile round trip takes six hours in a car, meaning driving Toffees will be required to leave Liverpool before dawn to ensure their attendance.
The fixture was moved so as to maximise its viewing on India’s Star Sport, where kick-off local time will be an ideal 6pm. It will not be broadcast live on any UK network.
Speaking to Press Association Sport, Dr Allin-Khan said: “Everton fans travelling on the first train would miss the kick-off and it’ll set them back over £100 for a return ticket.
She continued:
As broadcast revenues increase along with the popularity of our leagues, the Premier League shouldn’t forget the fans who travel across the country, week in week out. Fans are being priced out of football. TV money has been good for the game but the system needs to be fairer for fans. Football should be accessible to everyone, from Sunday league to Premier League.
The issue of moving fixtures for TV purposes recently arose when Liverpool and Arsenal fans were forced to contend with the possibility that December’s fixture between the two clubs might wind up being moved from the 23rd to Christmas Eve – a major inconvenience for many supporters.
Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:
All things considered, I think Kerry football is in the healthiest position it has been in years. And with our hurlers in the senior championship next year – Roll on 2016!!
Jack o Connor must go down as one of the best managers the gaa has seen. All Ireland’s at minor, 21 and senior. Still has a big say in future of Kerry football by the sound of things
He has been involved in 21 All Ireland finals, all the above + schools.
He has 18 All Ireland wins – that is just amazing
Great manager but got it all wrong Sunday.
Ruth Dublin are just a better team than kerry 3 wins from 3
Kerry have a knack of pulling out a few new stars when it looks like change is needed. adding one or two of those minors and a retirement or two and you’ve a fresh and very talented squad
Lets be honest but for some terrible refreeing decisions last yr Kerry would not have been in the Final last yr.And again this yr in Killarney poor refreeing decisions put them on the good side of the draw avoiding Dublin and Mayo in the process which meant they would have been knocked out of this yrs championship at the quarter or semi final stage. This had nothing to do with Eamon fitzs “genius” as a manager.
correct John the first top team they faced beat them quiet easily all over the pitch.
I wouldn’t be writing off Kerry yet ! they have a history of getting it right and coming back and winning Sam ! However this Dublin team Definitely have their measure !
agreed lorcan kerry are definitely the second best team.
There’ll be plenty of retirements now I’d say.
Donaghy and The Gooch certainly don’t instill the same fear as they used too !