Newcastle United fans protested to the Premier League and TV companies before their draw with Luton Town.
Before Saturday’s intense 4–4 draw with Luton Town, Newcastle United supporters made their disapproval of the team’s recent “disgusting” kickoff timings quite evident to the Premier League and TV executives. Wor Flags, a fan-run organization, created a pre-game banner in the Gallowgate End that said, “TV before fans.” Other flags, smaller in size, listed some of the club’s recent late kick-off times.
Examples were Tuesday’s 8.15 p.m. kickoff at Villa Park and Newcastle’s 8 p.m. away match at Anfield on New Year’s Day. Included were the away 7pm FA Cup match against Fulham and the recent 8pm away trip to Arsenal.
Despite having just one away game at 3 p.m. this season, Newcastle has the support of thousands of supporters despite the odd kick-off hours. This year’s ‘Green Football Weekend’ in the Premier League, which tries to encourage supporters to eat more plant-based meals in order to cut carbon emissions, coincided with the protest.
Many supporters have called out the campaign’s hypocrisy, pointing to the excessive travel that Premier League teams do to and from games and the fact that fans are frequently unable to utilize public transportation when kickoff times are delayed because of TNT Sports and Sky Sports.
“Today’s display in the Gallowgate is dedicated to highlighting the disgusting kick-off times that have been afforded to us by broadcasters in both the Premier League and the FA Cup since the turn of the year, making a mockery of the Green Football Weekend which is being celebrated by certain broadcasters,” Wor Flags said in a statement they released shortly after the banner was unveiled.
“Some of the most ardent and devoted supporters in the nation, Newcastle United supporters are committed to cheering on their side wherever they go. TV networks and football’s regulatory bodies completely take that commitment and passion for granted. This season, we have played just one away away game at 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
“Being a football fan is becoming an increasingly costly endeavor due to rising train, bus, and auto fuel prices, but the persistent mindset that prioritizes non-match-going fans over other fans is severely taxing the supporters. Even though we are still finishing touches, we don’t forget about the supporters who were driven away by the greed of the game and who contributed to the appeal of English football to a global audience.
“Late announcements of games to accommodate TV viewers and broadcasters have a significant effect on the supporters, who are universally acknowledged as the game’s lifeblood. We want more to be done for match-going supporters by broadcasters, the Premier League, the FA, and the clubs. Give up the selfish kickoff times, make traveling fans’ experiences more equitable, and put an end to your greed.”
