England fans upset by decision to switch Euro 2012 games to a Friday

Posted Friday, March 26, 2010 by theguardian.com

England to play three Euro 2012 qualifying games on a Friday
Switch made by Fifa to allow players to return to their clubs earlier

England fans upset by decision to switch Euro 2012 games to a Friday
England fans will be watching Fabio Capello's England attempt to qualify for Euro 2012 on a Firday rather than the traditional Saturday.

Fans have reacted angrily to Fifa's changing of the international calendar to allow clubs the return of their players a day early, which means that three of England's Euro 2012 qualifiers will be played on a Friday. All double-headers have now been shifted from the traditional Saturday-Wednesday timetable to Friday-Tuesday.

David Taylor, the secretary of Uefa, confirmed that it was compelled to fall into line with the world governing body, which had brought in the change to appease managers around the world. "Players now play with teams throughout the world so this is a result of Fifa being concerned about the release of them back to clubs and so it has changed its international calendar," said Taylor.

While the FA is understood to have no issue with the switch, Mark Perryman, a spokesman for England supporters, said: "Many supporters are saying that Fifa just doesn't care about fans. A Friday night game at Wembley is fine if you live in London, the home counties or south of Watford but not for anyone else. This will only make it more difficult for those supporters to watch England at Wembley."

The games against Bulgaria on 3 September, plus those away against the same opposition in September 2011 and in Montenegro the following month will all be played on a Friday. With Premier League clubs in action the weekend before, it means Fabio Capello will effectively lose a day's preparation.

Perryman added: "The question is will there now be no games at all on the Sunday prior to a Friday international to allow Capello to maintain the status quo? I don't think so." The FA confirmed there would still be a full weekend programme ahead of England's Euro 2012 qualifiers.