ARSENAL’S Boxing Day clash with West Ham could be pushed back by a whopping FIVE HOURS in a blow to fans.
The London derby at the Emirates Stadium is currently slated to kick off at 3pm.
But according to The Daily Mail, the fixture is on the brink of being pushed back a few hours.
They claim talks over delaying the start time for the match are underway, with the clubs aware of the Premier League‘s eagerness to push back kick-off.
And the prospect of an 8pm kick-off is said to have been discussed by Prem chiefs.
The Boxing Day schedule, however, has yet to be finalised – although the potential change of kick-off time will be a cause of concern for fans of both clubs.
Boxing Day is a Bank Holiday and travel services will be operating at a reduced capacity.
An Arsenal fan told The Mail: “It’s awful. It really isn’t ideal but we all benefit from the TV money so unfortunately, we have to accept it.”
The delay in confirming the Boxing Day schedule hasn’t been received well by footy fans up and down the country.
The schedule was due to be confirmed nearly a fortnight ago but has been delayed as Prem chiefs attempt to finalise the start times for the matches – which will all be shown on Amazon Prime.
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The delay has irked the Football Supporters’ Association, who released a scathing statement on Twitter.
It read: “With the Xmas and New Year TV selections now 13 days late, supporter groups hit out at the Premier League over the weekend – criticising the delays that leave match-going fans hanging once again.
“Fan groups say the PL and its broadcasters are showing a total disregard for supporters who are vital to the spectacle.
“We deserve better than this.”
