Premier League's Boxing Day fixture decision branded 'thoughtless'

The Premier League has confirmed only one game will take place on Boxing Day this year.

It said the expansion of European competition was behind the move to reduce what is traditionally a packed schedule. The fixture will be Manchester United's home game against Newcastle United at 8pm.

The Premier League said in a statement: "The Premier League would like to acknowledge the circumstances that have led to a reduced number of matches on Boxing Day this season, impacting an important tradition in English football. "There are now several challenges to Premier League fixture scheduling rooted in the expansion of European club competitions - which led to a revision of our domestic calendar ahead of last season, including changes to the FA Cup.

"This ultimately left the Premier League as a 33-weekend competition - fewer than previous seasons, despite being a 380-match competition since 1995." Read more:World Athletics blames employees for stolen £1.3mSheffield Wednesday fans 'elated' after administration It added that this year's Boxing Day falling on a Friday had also impacted the fixture list. The remaining fixtures will be spread over the weekend, with seven on Saturday and two on Sunday.

'Special arrangements have been made' The statement added: "With fewer weekends to work with, the League is bound by how the calendar falls. "The League can give an assurance that next season there will be more Premier League matches on Boxing Day - as the date falls on a Saturday.

"As with previous years - and in keeping with our commitment to clubs - special arrangements have been made to allow more time between games played across the festive period. "This will allow greater time for players to recover, with the rest periods between rounds 18, 19 and 20 being increased to ensure that no club plays within 60 hours of another match." 'Thoughtless and ridiculous' The Football Supporters' Association criticised the move in a strongly-worded statement on X.

It read: "The Premier League's TV selections for Xmas and NY have finally been announced a fortnight after they were supposed to be. "Newcastle United's game at Old Trafford - the longest trip of that game week - has been selected for a ridiculous 8pm kick-off on Boxing Day.

Thoughtless.".