'Shouldn't be eligible' - Leeds United v Brentford fixture limbo question put to Premier League and Sky Sports

Everyone involved in the moving and possible future movement of Leeds United versus Brentford is pointing at someone else and no one is saying sorry.

This week the Premier League confirmed that Leeds' March 21 Elland Road game against the Bees was moving to an 8pm slot on the same day. But it might move again. It might be a 12.30pm kick-off. Or even a 5.30pm kick-off.

That's because of the possible participation of Premier League clubs in European competition and the EFL Cup. It is important to note at this stage that neither Leeds nor Brentford will play any games in European competitions or the EFL Cup this season.

For Leeds fans hoping to plan their lives and their travel to and from games, it is quite crucial that they know when their team will play.

‘Potentially giving them 19 days’

In this case, Leeds and Brentford supporters will discover the kick-off time no later than March 2, potentially giving them 19 days to sort flights, hotels, trains, coaches, lifts, childcare, time off work and whatever else needs to be arranged.

This is not how it was supposed to be. Leeds, for their part, offered sympathy to supporters and said they were bemused by the situation.

Leeds United Supporters Trust told the YEP: "As always, fans are the last consideration, being left in limbo for a kick-off time that could be at either end of the day.

“This has a big impact on both sets of fans who need to organise travel, let alone the premium prices for late bookings.

“The change in kick-off time could also mean the difference in fans having to book hotels - especially if it’s an 8pm kick-off, with the lack of public transport in operation late at night needed to be taken into consideration.

“We know fans are a significant part of the product and the heart of each club - but it’s consistently banging your head against a wall when we are forever dominated by TV companies putting viewing figures before fans."

“A game simply should not be allowed to move more than once for TV”

The Football Supporters Association were similarly frustrated. They told the YEP: "With the number of televised games at record levels and expansion of European competitions, disruption to the fixture schedule is one of the biggest sources of complaint we receive at the FSA.

"Conditional TV picks are a massive headache for matchgoing fans. While a kick-off time remains in the balance supporters cannot safely book travel, time off work or childcare.

“A game simply should not be allowed to move more than once for TV. If a game is at risk of being moved twice or more, particularly with neither side in Europe, we don’t think it should be eligible for selection – simple as that. We'll continue to push the leagues and broadcasters for fairer treatment."

So with the club bemused, a fan group and a national supporters network in uproar, the YEP went to the Premier League for a comment.

None was offered on the record. Instead we were pointed to a statement released last June which said: "The Premier League understands the need to confirm fixture date and times as early as possible.

“Our fixture announcements will continue to provide around six weeks’ notice ahead of fixtures prior to January, and five weeks thereafter. Owing to our clubs’ performances in Europe last season, a record nine Premier League teams will play in UEFA competitions in the 2025/26 season. While the Premier League celebrates this success, it will come with an impact on the scheduling of League matches.

"There is an increased likelihood of Premier League fixtures moving at relatively short notice, after our fixture announcements, should our clubs progress to the knockout rounds of these competitions. Supporters are asked to consider this when planning for Premier League fixtures, particularly when their club or opposition is playing in the latter stages of UEFA competitions."

A picture emerges when you realise that Liverpool could theoretically be in action away from home in the Champions League on March 18 and are currently scheduled to take on Brighton away from home at 12.30pm on March 21.

‘Neither Leeds nor Brentford are playing in the latter stages of UEFA competitions’

But as the YEP pointed out again to the Premier League, neither Leeds nor Brentford are playing in the latter stages of UEFA competitions and asked why it should be a concern for their supporters.

Again, there was no on-record comment and no apology issued to supporters impacted by this, but the Premier League's finger has been, since last summer, pointed squarely at UEFA.

What of the broadcaster in question? We asked Sky Sports about the impact on supporters.

They did not wish to make a comment on the record. But sources have indicated that all clubs involved in fixture changes due to broadcast selections approve all amendments and so too do the Premier League and safety advisory groups.

It was also pointed out to the YEP that that clubs are paid a 'facility fee' from televised fixtures, enabling them to put on travel options for match-going fans if they so wish.

What we have, all things told, is a lot of people pointing fingers in every direction but at themselves, a lot of people passing up the accountability for poor decisions and no one holding their hands up to apologise. It will continue to happen, too.

Supporters groups will rightly point out the injustice of it all for match-going supporters, but no one appears to be doing anything to stop it.

‘Is it so hard for organisations to just say sorry?’

No one is turning down a ticket at Elland Road on principle, not with Leeds back in the Premier League and doing so well in a ground that is like few others in the world when it gets going.

Match-going fans are a captive market because their passion dictates. Clubs enjoy the spoils of broadcast agreements and that money is now vital to their survival or success at the top level.

If fans want transfers, the money has to flood in before it can flood out. By accepting the money they accept a level of powerlessness over logistics, like fixture arrangements.

Broadcasters have a product that everyone wants to watch, they pay huge sums for the privilege of televising it and they're going to maximise that opportunity.

But even if there's a grim realisation that match-goers and their inconvenience is right down at the bottom of the list of football's priorities, and even if it's not going to get any better, is it so hard for organisations to just say sorry and actually acknowledge that this isn't an ideal or fair situation?

Nineteen days is not sufficient notice to be moving a fixture.