Fans have been left furious after Arsenal’s crunch Premier League clash with Chelsea was moved at late notice.
Police chiefs insisted that the London derby which was due to be shown live on Sky at 5.30pm on Saturday, April 29, be moved to Tuesday, May 2, at 8pm.
It has caused a huge row as hundreds of fans had organised trips, booked hotels and travel for one of Arsenal’s few remaining games in their title challenge.
The switch was made with less than three weeks’ notice with a fans’ group making the point it had already been moved once for the benefit of TV. The rescheduled game will also be shown live on Sky.
Arsenal are not happy with the decision to reschedule the fixture, stating: "After working to try to find a solution with the Met Police, we are very disappointed with the impact and disruption this fixture change will cause to our supporters, particularly after this match had been initially approved for a Saturday evening kick-off."
The Arsenal Supporter's Trust have also criticised the change, calling it the "result of inconsistent and poor police decision making". They said: "We have made contact with the club about concerns regarding when the Arsenal v Chelsea game is played.
"Fixtures should not be changed once they are confirmed publicly, including by the police, except for emergency situations. This is a really poorly outcome as a result of inconsistent and poor police decision making.
"They approved the game but are now playing politics based on London wide issues they have with 'late' weekend kick off times We shall raise with the local SAG and relevant authorities".
The Football Supporters' Association echoed their comments, accusing authorities of showing "little regard for matchgoing supporters" by rescheduling the fixture with just over two weeks notice.
"Arsenal vs Chelsea is moved again (after initially being selected for a Saturday evening KO) to a Tuesday evening with just over two weeks notice," they said.
"More disruption for fans and not the first time this season the authorities have shown such little regard for matchgoing supporters."
The Premier League are absolutely furious with the police and have expressed “regret” for fans who are left inconvenienced.
The Premier League revealed that the original date was approved at a Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meeting in February.
But the Metropolitan Police has now revised its position regarding the kick-off time and requested a further SAG meeting which determined the match had to be re-scheduled.
The Premier League said: “We regret the need to move this fixture at late notice and the impact this will have on supporters. The game will remain live on Sky Sports.”
It is believed it could be because the police resources are stretched as they prepare for the King’s Coronation the following weekend.
The Arsenal and Chelsea Supporters’ Trust joined forces to slam the decision.
They said in a statement: “It is totally unacceptable that with 18 days until the fixture, it has been announced that Arsenal v Chelsea will be postponed and re-arranged.
“We are deeply disappointed that a confirmed fixture has been moved after both clubs, the broadcaster, the Safety Advisory Group, and the police had confirmed it. This is an insult to those supporters who are attending.
“This is not the first time that arbitrary and unaccountable decisions have been made by the police that adversely impact our clubs and supporters.
“This decision will create a major inconvenience to supporters who will have already made travel and accommodation arrangements and will negatively impact those supporters attending the fixture.
“The AST & CST call on the Premier League to provide a fuller explanation behind these issues. We will in turn take this matter to the Mayor of London who oversees the Metropolitan Police.
“Supporters are being treated with complete contempt.”
A Met Police statement read: "The Met engaged with the Premier League, Arsenal Football Club and Islington Council, through a Safety Advisory Group since February, to negotiate an earlier week-end kick-off for the Arsenal vs Chelsea football match, when notified of the proposed television scheduling of 17:30hrs, on 29 April.
"This was as a preventive and proactive measure to help mitigate Antisocial Behaviour and crime associated with later weekend kick-offs.
"The Met suggested an earlier kick-off time on 29 April to minimise crime and disorder and the impact on fans, which was declined by football partners who instead chose to play the fixture on an alternative date.
"A new date of Tuesday 2 May at 20:00hrs has now been agreed."
