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EFL hit out at UEFA after being left with no option to rearrange fixtures involving five clubs

The EFL have hit out at UEFA in statement, after being left with no option to rearrange fixtures involving five clubs.

Two Wolves fixtures, plus games involved Portsmouth, Liverpool and Tottenham have had to be moved after discussions between EFL and UEFA officials.

UEFA wouldn’t reschedule the Liverpool v Atletico Madrid game, said to be due to the impact on supporters travelling from overseas.

The league said on Monday, the 31st of August: “The EFL has been left with no option than to rearrange a number of its fixtures following the announcement of fixture details for the league phase of the UEFA Champions League.

“On 28 August, we confirmed that the Carabao Cup Round Three tie between Everton and Wolves had been scheduled for Wednesday 9 September. This was confirmed with local stakeholders as per usual practice ahead of announcement. On Saturday, UEFA announced that it had scheduled Liverpool v Atletico Madrid for the same date, despite it being clear that Everton and Liverpool cannot play home fixtures on the same evening.

“The EFL met with UEFA officials on Monday morning to explore available options, however in those discussions it was made clear that they were unwilling to consider rescheduling the Liverpool v Atletico Madrid fixture, and avoiding the consequences for other fixtures as a result.

“Disappointingly, the League has therefore been forced to make changes to the following three fixtures:

Everton v Wolves, Carabao Cup Round Three
Original date – Wed 9 September 19:45
New date – Wed 16 September 19:45

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur, Carabao Cup Round Three
Original date – Wed 16 September 20:00
New date – Tue 15 September 20:00

Wolves v Portsmouth, Sky Bet Championship
Original date – Wed 16 September 19:45
New date – Tue 20 October 19:45

Over recent seasons the League has made a number of changes to accommodate the expansion of UEFA Club competitions – a decision which was made without adequate consultation with domestic leagues. These changes have included splitting Carabao Cup Round Three ties across two weeks, and implementing draw conditions for Round Three which prevent scheduling conflicts for Clubs playing in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

This makes UEFA’s unwillingness to cooperate all the more frustrating, not least for the supporters of the five Clubs that will now be inconvenienced as a result.

Wolves said in a statement: “Wolves’ Carabao Cup tie with Everton and Championship fixture against Portsmouth have been moved once again following UEFA’s Champions League fixture release.

“Last week Wolves’ cup tie at Everton was scheduled for Wednesday 9th September, meaning the Old Gold’s Championship clash with Portsmouth at Molineux was pushed back to Wednesday 16th September.

“However, over the weekend UEFA placed Liverpool’s Champions League fixture with Atletico Madrid on 9th September, despite the fact they and Everton cannot both play at home on the same night.

“EFL and UEFA officials met on Monday morning to discuss options, however UEFA were unwilling to reschedule, given visiting supporters were travelling overseas for the fixture, leading to an enforced rescheduling of the EFL games, much to the frustration of both clubs.

“Both Wolves and Everton are in action on Sunday 6th September, meaning Tuesday 8th September was not an available date, and the cup tie must now take place on 16th September.

“In turn, that affects the Portsmouth fixture at Molineux, which will now take place on Tuesday 20th October, 7.45pm.

“Tickets already purchased for the Portsmouth fixture on 9th September or 16th September will remain valid for 20th October, while supporters wanting a refund for either of the previous dates can do so up to 48 hours before the rearranged date.

“Tickets for the Everton cup tie on 9th September go on sale to away season ticket holders on Monday 1st September, 9am.”

Portsmouth said in statement on their website: “Pompey can announce that the rearranged Championship away match at Wolves will no longer be played on Wednesday, September 16.

“The fixture had initially been moved from Wednesday, September 9 because the home side were due to be in Carabao Cup action at Everton on that evening.

“But with it only being confirmed on Saturday that Liverpool now have a Champions League game at Anfield on September 9 and Everton being unable to play at home on the same night, the cup tie has had to be pushed back a week.

“The knock-on effect of this is that disappointingly, our visit to Molineux has been postponed for a second time and will now take place on Tuesday, October 20 (7.45pm kick-off).

“Due to the extremely late notice of these changes, Wolves are unable to host the game on the original date of September 9.

“Portsmouth Football Club are extremely frustrated that our fans, many of whom will have twice made arrangements for this game, are adversely affected.

“We will provide a further update with information for supporters who have purchased tickets in due course.”

Here’s what fans are saying as the EFL hit out at UEFA after being left with no option to rearrange fixtures involving five clubs…

@PintandPost: “Left with no option” is doing some magnificent work there. 😂 UEFA announces the Champions League schedule, the EFL shuffles its own fixtures, and supporters are once again expected to rearrange work, travel, hotels and basically their entire lives around it. Football’s calendar isn’t organised anymore. It’s negotiated hostage release. 🍺⚽

@upsdwnwrld: Unpopular opinion: The League Cup shouldn’t include clubs that have qualified for Europe

@Thunda007: Tell them they either play in Europe or they play in the cup.. stop pandering to them.. You’ve already changed the format of the cup (to its detriment) to accommodate them and they’re still moaning.. Just ban them from the EFL cup .. they only play weakened sides anyway

@GrumpyDad3: Fuck the Champions League. Nothing but greed.

@scottcain1312: From everyone at Sheffield Wednesday fuck ya well done uefa 👍 #swfc

@Stevenorient: This shows @UEFA is so similar to @FIFAcom not interested in competitions other than their own. It’s all about money and not match going fans. @WeAreTheFSA

@JoeSolskjaer: Shame on @UEFA – they will make great noise at some terrible decisions from @FIFAcom but when they’re in the firing line, they will ignore people and don’t care about the fact they’re ignoring clubs. Enough is enough and real change needs to happen.

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