Three West Brom matches have been rescheduled to accommodate Sky Sports coverage. This decision has elicited criticism from journalist Lewis Cox, who labeled it an “absolute farce.” The altered fixtures include games against Ipswich, Leicester, and Sunderland, with Ipswich’s home clash now starting at 17:30, the Leicester game moved to 12:30, and the Sunderland away match also set for a 12:30 kickoff.
This scheduling change presents a challenge for fans as these modifications occur on three consecutive weekends. Particularly frustrating is the early kickoff time for the Sunderland game, making it a burdensome journey for traveling supporters, given that Sunderland is one of the furthest destinations. Cox expressed his discontent on October 19, emphasizing the inconvenience this poses for fans.
The only positive aspect of this news is that the fixtures have retained their original dates, which may save fans from having to make extensive alterations to their prior arrangements with hotels or trains.
Three weekends in a row. Absolute farce for fans, again. #wba https://t.co/QGyYaNuBnH
— Lewis Cox (@LewisCox_star) October 19, 2023
Nonetheless, it underscores the fact that TV companies prioritize their schedules over the convenience of fans. The reported new Premier League deal, although not yet affecting West Brom, could set a precedent for televising all games not on Saturdays at 15:00, potentially resulting in more fixture changes and further inconveniences for fans.