Club chairman ruthlessly weighs in on controversial Wolves and Chelsea decision

Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony believes fans need to get used to festive fixture rearrangements as the modernisation of football continues to evolve. The club chief, although unrelated to Wolverhampton Wanderers or Chelsea, has weighed in on the decision that has seen the two clubs face the first Christmas Eve fixture in the Premier League in 28 years.

The reaction has been fierce to the controversial date change, especially from the travelling Chelsea perspective, as December 24 has been completely ignored for English football for nearly three decades. The reason behind not having games on Christmas Eve is clear, with many families across the country celebrating in various traditional ways. Football is then typically enjoyed on Boxing Day.

MacAnthony, although “absolutely” in the belief that the decision shouldn’t have been made in the first place, thinks supporters should stop moaning and get on with it. “If this is something they want to do, they’re going to do it. It’s horses for courses. Fans have been asked to give up time with their family - just like players - to go watch a game,” MacAnthony said on talkSPORT.

“With bigger TV deals coming in and more digitalisation of football, I think this is going to be the new norm. You’re going to see more than one game on Christmas Eve, you’re going to potentially see a game on Christmas Day. You see NFL games in America. They’re played on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as well as Thanksgiving.

“Part of Thanksgiving is they eat, drink or whatever but then there’s three games back-to-back. It’s become part of tradition. It’s a choice, not a decision. You can choose not to do it. You don’t have to go and do it [watch the game]. This is money, this is the way the world is going. This is the product. You’ve got players on 350 grand a week. It’s going to stay and it’s only going to get worse,” MacAnthony concluded.