Premier League won’t extend season despite fixture chaos

THE Premier League has ruled out extending the football season to cope with fixture chaos caused by the big freeze and insisted contingency plans are already in place to deal with a long list of postponed matches.

All but two matches had to be called off last weekend because of snow and ice, including the title six-pointer between Chelsea and Manchester United on Sunday, leaving managers concerned about fixture congestion later in the season.

United, for instance, have already seen two games postponed during the cold snap after their match at Blackpool was also affected, and Alex Ferguson’s side must balance their Premier League campaign with Champions League and FA Cup fixtures.

Further snow is forecast over the next few weeks, when clubs face a run of four fixtures in 11 days, so there is feverish activity in the Premier League’s ‘Football Department’, which is in charge of organising the football calendar.

“It’s a busy time for them, but they already have contingency dates in mind,” a spokesman said.

“They will work closely with the affected clubs to get new dates agreed as quickly as possible.

“Blackpool v Manchester United has already been rearranged to the last week in January and other matches can take place if and when clubs are knocked out of the FA Cup. There is also the precedent for some top-flight matches to be played in those weeks usually reserved for European games.”

In reality the Premier League sees the latter scenario as a last resort; the prospect of Premier League matches going head to head with Champions League fixtures is not one that fills anybody – particularly broadcasters and UEFA – with any glee.

It would take an unprecedented spell of cold weather for that to happen because already four separate dates have been earmarked as suitable for re-arranged matches – meaning three entire league programmes would have to be called off before panic sets in.

Even then the possibility of the season being extended beyond its current finish date of Sunday 22 May is something not currently on the Premier League radar, a spokesman adding: “There’s no precedent for that, it’s not something that’s even being considered. We will fit the games in.”

The Premier League point out that snow also affected the campaign last year, with seven matches being called off on the weekend of January 9-10, but the season was completed without fixture congestion and with a minimum of fuss.

The current problems, however, have brought arguments for a winter break into sharp focus.

While the benefits of a mid-season break for players are obvious, knowing when to stage it is becoming increasingly difficult. The last thing the Premier League needs now after such a cold December, for instance, is a three-week break in January to add to fixture problems.

England remains one of the only major football powers in Europe to refuse a winter break with Italy, Spain, Germany, Holland, Turkey, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Serbia and Sweden all offering players a rest while the Russian league runs from spring to autumn and the Scottish FA is currently debating the matter.

The Premier League says it’s open to discussion but insists it is not within its gift to make the decision alone – urging The FA to lead the debate and involve all parties. In reality, however, chances of an agreement in the foreseeable future are slim. Relations between football’s two governing bodies are, unfortunately, just like the weather; frosty.