Source: Telegraph
Premier League reject Fulham request to move final match at Arsenal
Fulham had pleaded that they needed more time to prepare for Wednesday's Europa League final but were informed by the Premier League that all the final round of matches had to start at the same time 4pm on Sunday.[LNB]Fulham's opponents in the final, Atlético Madrid, made a similar request to the Spanish football authorities and this has been granted. They will now play on Saturday with Fulham having pointed out the inequality.[LNB] Related ArticlesHicks' takeover fear pushes Rafa Benitez nearer exitWest Ham wage bill laid barePortsmouth confident over debt plansBayern to fight Ribery banFulham's second string out to prove point against StokeFulham v Stoke City: match previewHowever the Premier League argued on Wednesday that it is not the final round of matches in La Liga and the circumstances are, therefore, different.[LNB]Fulham have accepted the decision although there is disappointment that they have not been helped, especially as they are flag-bearers for the league, and England, in Europe with no club in the Champions League Final.[LNB]In a statement to The Telegraph, a Premier League spokesman said: "Given it was the final day of the season, when we always play all our matches at the same time for reasons of integrity, and being mindful of the travel plans supporters will have made, the board felt it wasn't appropriate to move the Arsenal Fulham match."[LNB]It means that manager Roy Hodgson will not have time for a full day's training with his squad after Sunday's match. Monday will be a warm-down with the players then travelling to Hamburg on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday evening's final.[LNB]There is no friction between the Premier League and Fulham over the decision the request was made last Friday, following the semi-final victory over Hamburg but the club had hoped that given the fact little hinged on their game, except for final league positions, they may have been given special dispensation.[LNB]Hodgson is unlikely to field his strongest team against Arsenal, in any case, given the importance of Wednesday's game, which is easily the biggest in Fulham's history.[LNB]It will also be the 63rd match of a campaign which started last July in the Europa League.[LNB]If Fulham lose to Atlético there is also the strong possibility that they will be entered into the early qualifying rounds for the Europa League next season, as the Premier League's Fair Play representative, which means they will, once more, start playing competitive matches in July.[LNB][LNB]
