Utter Woke Nonsense… Why Wasn't The Premier League In Full Action On Boxing Day?

Why Was the Premier League So Silent on Boxing Day?

Boxing Day 1963. A full set of Premier League fixtures ready for spectators to feast their eyes on in the wake of feasting on food the day before.

What unfolded was one of the most iconic days of football ever seen. 66 goals across the ten games, including some almost unheard-of results, overdelivering on the post-Christmas gift fans had awaited.

Now, if you're a football fan, it's almost impossible that you haven't heard that story; in fact, it's a yearly tradition for almost every news outlet to remind you of that fabled day at this point.

But in truth, it is just one weekend of a plethora that have built up football's love affair with Boxing Day over the years.

Since the Second World War, there have only been five weekends in England which have not consisted of a comprehensive fixture list.

But, this weekend, for the first time in English football history, there will only be one game played on December 26th.

Manchester United vs Newcastle will be the only entertainment for fans looking to get their Premier League fix, and it's an 8pm kick-off at that…

So, that begs the question, why on earth is there only one game today?

Bloomin Fixture Congestion…

In actual fact, the reasons for a lack of Boxing Day footy are pretty straightforward – but that doesn't make it any easier to accept.

The Premier League has cited the European footballing calendar as a big factor for the underwhelming layout, with the larger workload causing a bigger backlog of Prem games yet to be played.

The rules state that no club can play more than one fixture in a 60-hour period, but of course, the Premier League are trying to give a little more leeway with all the complaints from players about the hectic schedule, so they have chosen to play the majority of games over the weekend instead.

Broadcast Contracts… BORING

Another reason for the lack of festive Friday footy is the broadcast agreements and contracts that were signed by the Premier League and media outlets at the start of the season.

There are 33 weekends' worth of fixtures which must be fulfilled when the end of the season rolls around in May.

So, unfortunately, with Boxing Day falling on a Friday and the expanded European season having some impact later down the line, there was only one available TV slot, which has been given to the Man Utd and Newcastle game at Old Trafford.

Will Boxing Day Football Return?

Don't fret. Despite the letdown of this year's footballing calendar, the Premier League have assured fans that the chance of Boxing Day football is not gone forever.

It does depend on the scheduling of future seasons, but given the outrage caused by the decision to not feature a full fixture list among fans, the Premier League will likely look to reinstate the footballing paradigm going forward.

And, to be fair, it isn't exactly like there's a shortage of footy to get you through those post-Christmas blues even without top-flight football.

As we speak there is an entire schedule of Championship, League One and League Two games readily available, and even some AFCON if that's more your vibe.

So yes, as angering and disappointing as it may be, it definitely falls under the bracket of 'utter woke nonsense'; there's no need to get too upset because you can still watch the beautiful game whilst chowing down on your Chrimbo leftovers.