Who Really Controls the Fixture List?
County and the club’s fans recently had two games moved in one week; one each by the FA and Sky. It’s not just us, of course; the Football Supporters’ Association says “The scheduling of football matches is one of the biggest sources of complaints from match-going fans.
Supporters are increasingly frustrated by the influence of broadcasters, which frequently results in games being moved from the traditional Saturday afternoon slot.
Under the latest Premier League television package, more than half of the competition’s 380 matches are rescheduled for broadcast. The EFL faces a similar situation under Sky’s five-year agreement, with 138 fixtures already subject to change and the possibility of that number rising to 158 during the final two years of the deal.
These alterations create significant practical and financial problems for fans. Supporters may need to take additional time off work, cancel travel and accommodation, lose deposits, or travel at inconvenient and unsociable times. The uncertainty makes it difficult to plan trips, particularly when television selections are announced late.
Fans believe broadcasters have too much control over fixture scheduling, while clubs, leagues and television companies have failed to accept responsibility for delays or their consequences. The FSA has repeatedly pressed football’s governing bodies for answers, but key decisions about televised fixtures continue to take place behind closed doors, with little meaningful involvement from supporters.
During previous meetings between the FSA, Premier League representatives and fans, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters acknowledged the problem. He apologised for delays to television announcements and promised that selections would be released more quickly in future. He also committed to improving communication with supporters whenever delays were expected.
However, the FSA argues that these promises have not been fulfilled. Announcements remain late, while supporters are rarely told which fixtures are causing delays or why.”