"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. 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."
Only one Premier League fixture has been scheduled on Boxing Day, with Manchester United hosting Newcastle United at 8pm, raising potential travel issues for away supporters. The reduced Boxing Day programme is attributed to the expansion of European club competitions, which forced a domestic calendar revision and left the Premier League as a 33-weekend competition. The league says fewer available weekends limit scheduling choices but promises more Boxing Day matches next season when the date falls on a Saturday. Special arrangements increase rest periods between rounds 18, 19 and 20 so no club plays within 60 hours of another match.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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