ARSENAL and the Premier League are fuming after being ordered to switch the scheduled home game against Chelsea by the Met Police.
And they are still waiting for an official explanation as to why the match cannot go ahead as originally planned.
GettyArsenal vs Chelsea has been moved by the Met Police[/caption]
The high risk Category A fixture was due to kick-off at 5.30pm on Saturday, April 29.
But it has now been put back by three days to the evening of Tuesday, May 2, just 24 hours after Arsenal Women host Wolfsburg at the Emirates in the semi-final of the Women’s Champions League.
An Arsenal spokesman said: “After working to try to find a solution with the Met Police, we are very disappointed with the impact and disruption this fixture change will cause to our supporters, particularly after this match had been initially approved for a Saturday evening kick-off.”
And a Premier League statement added: “We regret the need to move this fixture at late notice and the impact this will have on supporters.
“The initial scheduling of this match was approved by a Safety Advisory Group meeting in February.
“However, the Metropolitan Police has now revised its position regarding the kick-off time and requested a further SAG meeting which determined the match had to be rescheduled.”
Although the Met have yet to reveal the reasons for their decision, it is believed that they would not have been able to provide enough officers to police the match on the Saturday.
With the coronation of King Charles taking place at Westminster Abbey the following Saturday, it has been suggested that a number of officers have been requested to take a day’s leave on the final weekend in April so they will be available for duty on May 6.
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And fans think the real reason for the postponement is because officers want the day off, report Daily Cannon.
The fixture switch means that league leaders Arsenal will now have just four days to prepare for their crucial away game against Newcastle on May 7.
And with the Chelsea game coming the day after the second leg of the Women’s Champions League semi-final, with the potential for extra-time, there are also concerns about the damage to the Emirates pitch.
A joint statement from the Chelsea and Arsenal supporters’ trusts also condemned the move.
They said: “This decision is totally unacceptable. It is an insult to those supporters who are attending.
“We are deeply disappointed that a confirmed fixture has been moved with just 18 days notice after both clubs, the broadcaster, the Safety Advisory Group and the police had all confirmed it.
“This is not the first time that arbitrary and unaccountable decisions have been made by the police that will adversely impact our clubs and supporters.
“The decision will create a major inconvenience to supporters who will already have made travel and accommodation arrangements and will negatively impact those supporters attending the fixture.
“We call on the Premier League to provide a fuller explanation behind these issues. We will take this matter to the Mayor of London who oversees the Metropolitan Police.”