Leeds United Supporters Trust hit out at ‘ridiculous’ decision impacting Whites fans - YEP 30/9/22
Leeds United have seen another fixture pushed back due to television coverage, and the Supporters’ Trust are not happy.
By Jamie Kemble
Leeds United Supporters’ Trust have hit back at the Premier
League after another kick-off time alteration.
The Whites saw another fixture altered on Friday, as the
clash with Liverpool on October 29 changed to a 7.45pm kick-off due to being
selected for Sky Sports coverage.
The big problem with that is the final train home to Leeds
from Liverpool is at 9.08pm, meaning the rail service is not an option for fans
who want to attend the game at Anfield.
It comes after the Whites’ clash with Leicester City on
October 20 was changed to an 8.15pm kick-off, with the last train back to Leeds
from the East Midlands being at 9.37pm.
Again, the train will not be an option for Leeds fans
wishing to make the trip to the King Power Stadium.
After the latest change, for the Liverpool game, the Leeds
United Supporters’ Trust tweeted, saying: “Another ridiculous change to the KO
time, especially fans relying on public transport @WeAreTheFSA @premierleague.”
The Trust have been vocal in giving fans a voice over the
fixture changes, which is important given the numbers that travel to away
games.
Travelling fans for these games will now have to take the
car or sign on to a supporters’ bus.
The Football Supporters’ Association have repeatedly accused
the league of putting TV coverage before match-going supporters.
Sky Sports pay £5.1billion for their current broadcast deal,
while BT Sports pay more than £630million to show 52 fixtures per season.
Leeds and their rivals benefit significantly from that
money, but fan groups rightly contest that supporters play a central role in
the spectacle that is the Premier League, and should be given every opportunity
to attend each fixture.
