Crystal Palace’s home meeting with Manchester United will now take place at 19:00 GMT on Sunday, December 13, after the fixture was selected by TNT Sports as part of the latest Premier League schedule announcement.
The unusual evening kick-off has drawn criticism from the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), which argues that travelling supporters will bear the consequences of the decision. Fans making the journey to Selhurst Park could face a late trip home or the additional cost of staying overnight, with work, school and family commitments also potentially affected.
MUST accepts that Palace’s European commitments provide the reason for moving the match to Sunday, but has questioned why an earlier start could not have been arranged. The group also referred to previous assurances from the Premier League that the 19:00 Sunday slot would not become a regular part of the fixture calendar.
The supporters’ organisation is calling on the Premier League, clubs and broadcasters to introduce stronger safeguards when deciding fixture dates and kick-off times. It believes the fans who help create the atmosphere valued by broadcasters should receive greater consideration.
Manchester United’s visit is not the only Palace home match to receive the late Sunday treatment. The Eagles’ fixture against Arsenal has also been scheduled for a 19:00 kick-off.
