The Premier League have taken aim at UEFA over its scheduling for the Champions League last 16 matches after announcing that two domestic games may have to be rearranged at short notice.
The draw for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League takes place on Friday, February 27, following the conclusion of the play-off round second leg matches this midweek.
With the knockout stages split into two paths, it needs to be determined which teams follow which path on the two sides of the draw to the final, with the fixture dates set to be confirmed after the draw is made.
Premier League Matches Could Be Rearranged
Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool are all safely through to the last 16, having finished in the top eight of the league phase, with Newcastle United set to join them following their 6-1 play-off round first leg victory over Qarabag.
The last 16 matches will take place in the weeks commencing March 9 and March 16, but that brings its own problems for the Premier League and specifically the two teams in the title race this season – Arsenal and City.
The Premier League schedule is already set, with City due to travel to West Ham United at 12.30pm on Saturday, March 14, with Arsenal hosting Everton on Sunday, March 15 at 2pm.
Premier League Release Strong Statement
Both of these games could be moved once more, however, at just two weeks’ notice to supporters.
A strong statement on the Premier League website read: “The below Premier League fixtures are subject to change – dependent on the upcoming draw for the UEFA Champions League knockout stages on Friday 27 February.
– West Ham United v Manchester City – Saturday 14 March, 12:30
– Arsenal v Everton – Sunday 15 March, 14:00
“Any changes to the above fixtures will be made as soon as possible following the UEFA draw – and UEFA’s subsequent confirmation of its match scheduling.
“The Premier League confirmed the above fixtures on 21 January and advised UEFA that clubs scheduled to play on Sunday 15 March would not be available to play Champions League fixtures on Tuesday 17 March.
Premier League Not Happy With UEFA
“The Premier League fixture between West Ham United and Manchester City, currently scheduled for 12:30 on Saturday 14 March, remains subject to Manchester City’s UCL RO16 away first leg being scheduled for Tuesday 10 March – which UEFA cannot guarantee.
“Unfortunately, UEFA has not been able to provide any guarantees on its scheduling ahead of the draw.
“As a result, the Premier League now faces the possibility of re-scheduling its fixtures at even shorter notice, at the inconvenience of supporters and clubs.”
As ever it will be the supporters of these clubs who are hit hardest with scheduling changes, while for the clubs, depending on when they are rearranged for, it could impact the title race, too.
The likelihood is, however, that, if needed, the games will be moved to different days on the same weekend.
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