Chelsea fans blast 'disrespectful' EPL after decision to change ANOTHER kick-off

  /  autty

Chelsea fans are furious after the Premier League yet again changed the kick-off time for their trip to Sheffield United on Sunday April 7 – in what has been blasted as a ‘kick in the teeth’ and 'disrespectful'.

On Tuesday, it was announced that the match would be kicking off at 1.30pm. On Friday, however, it was changed to 5.30pm after a request from the home club with the Premier League writing: ‘This kick-off time has been selected to allow adequate return travel for visiting supporters.’

Yet the Chelsea Supporters Trust have released a fiery statement in which they remind the Premier League that many fans had already arranged travel plans.

‘We have been informed that the change has had to be made due to the Sheffield Half Marathon which takes place earlier that day,’ the CST said.

‘There has been a suggestion that the decision makers were unaware of the Half Marathon when initially authorising the lunchtime kick-off, despite the Sheffield Half Marathon being a long-standing event in the city centre.

‘In a season where Chelsea have kicked off only four times at the traditional 3pm and have had many inconvenient kick-off time slots (including the first Christmas Eve fixture in 28 years), this is just another kick in the teeth to loyal match-going supporters.

‘This is the latest occasion of supporters being treated with disrespect, especially as this issue was totally foreseeable. Our message to all parties involved with fixture scheduling is clear: stop treating match-going supporters with total disrespect or risk stadiums becoming lifeless, soulless, and without passion.’

The CST are encouraging supporters to email them details of any additional expenses which will be incurred by them – which they plan to send to the Premier League and clubs.

Related: Chelsea Sheffield United
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