The Wolves 1877 Supporters Trust have called for the Premier League to reschedule the controversial Christmas Eve fixture with Chelsea this year.

On Thursday, October 26, it was confirmed that the Wanderers’ league clash with Mauricio Pochettino’s men would take place on December 24 (1pm kick-off) instead of Saturday, December 23.

The decision has been heavily slammed by most in the football world and calls to return the fixture to its original date have followed in the days after.

READ | Wolves ‘confident’ of major Premier League decision after summer transfer exodus

READ | Premier League urged to change ‘totally unacceptable’ Wolves vs Chelsea decision

On Monday, October 30, the Football Supporters’ Association confirmed that supporter groups from all 20 Premier League clubs have written to the league in hope of a U-turn of the decision.

And speaking exclusively to BirminghamLive, chairman of the Wolves 1877 Supporters Trust, Dan Warren, has revealed the chaos caused by the “shocking” decision.

“Having taken consultation with our members and seen the wider response on social media, we absolutely call on the Premier League, broadcasters and clubs to get this game rescheduled for the Saturday afternoon (23rd December) at 5.30pm.

“It’s a deeply uncaring and selfish decision by the Premier League and the broadcasters to put that game on Christmas Eve.

“It causes massive travel disruption for the travelling fans and Wolves fans based all around the country. We have people coming from Wales, London and the south west and it’s just going to be travel chaos.

“We understand that Network Rail are doing a large amount of shutdowns over the festive period, which is just going to force people onto long journeys on the road. Christmas Eve, even though it’s on a Sunday this year, is renowned for being really busy.

“It’s about time that the Premier League and broadcasters start putting fans first for a change. There’s no precedent for this whatsoever. Football’s not for Christmas Eve. There’s obviously going to be people in favour of it but the game being played at 5.30pm on the 23rd is much better.

“We’re not going to call for a boycott because it’s people’s own personal decisions. But a large number of trust members are unable to attend as a result because they had family commitments in the diary.

“There’s a large number of people that have contacted us that have said they won’t be attending the game. From my own personal view, I’ll be going to the game because I live a mile away from the ground and don’t have kids.

“As the chairman of the Wolves Supporter Trust, I’ll be attending but we’re not asking for people to boycott the game. It’s their personal decision. The fans of our football club, and of Chelsea, have just been completely disregarded by the Premier League and broadcasters.

“They don’t care if we attend or not, that’s the bottom line. Also, a lot of people have told us that, even if they can’t attend the game, as a point of principle, they won’t watch it at home

Reaction to the VAR decision that cost Wolves a penalty against Man Utd | Football Digest

The 5.30pm slot on December 23 is currently occupied by Arsenal vs Liverpool but there are options. Only last week, Manchester United’s win at Bramall Lane took place at 8pm following the London derby between Chelsea and the Gunners.

Warren also told BirminghamLive that the supporters group is due to meet with officials in the coming days. “We’re going to have a meeting with the Premier League on Thursday, where we’re going to call for it to be scrapped,” he added.

“The annoying thing about this is that there’s been no consultation with fan groups. We contacted the Premier League – the FSA and the two club trusts – on the Saturday (October 21) after it was leaked. We asked for a conversation to discuss it before it was confirmed.

“They responded to us an hour before they made the formal announcement. This game should be played on Saturday. Christmas Eve is not for football. We’re talking the best part of 28 years since a top division game has been played on Christmas Eve. We’re currently consulting about ways we can protes

The decision to schedule a game on Christmas Eve – a first in nearly 30 years – has resulted in supporters becoming fearful of future games taking place the day before Christmas.

“It sets a dangerous precedent because next year, Christmas Eve is on Monday. What’s to stop them from putting a game on?

“It’s not just about Wolves and that’s why all 20 supporter groups have backed our solidarity over this, because they know that this precedent has been set. What’s stopping them from doing this on a Monday night, Christmas Eve, Newcastle vs Brighton.”