Tottenham's rearranged clash with Wigan causes supporters' uproar

19 November 2009 12:12
Tottenham and Wigan's agreement to move this weekend's Premier League encounter to Sunday to give their players more time after the international matches has been blasted by the Football Supporters' Federation.   [LNB]The clubs will play the match on Sunday rather than Saturday despite the game not being on television or - the other usual reason for playing on Sunday - either side being involved in Europe earlier in the week.   [LNB]Premier League rules allow for such a switch if it is mutually agreed, but Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters' Association, said it was 'a worrying trend' and that he would raise it with the Premier League.   [LNB] Rearranged fixture: Spurs' clash with Wigan has been moved to Sunday [LNB] Modric out of Wigan clash with Spurs still baffled over midfielder's returnTottenham set to bring ex-Newcastle striker LuaLua back to EnglandWhen Harry met Fergie: Redknapp and Sir Alex talk a good gameSpurs and Portsmouth target Ben Arfa in furious bust-up with Marseille boss Clarke said: 'We think this is a very regrettable development. Thereare far too many games moved as it is. If it's not on television andneither team has been playing the previous Thursday then it should notbe moved.  [LNB] 'This is a worrying trend and we will raise it with the Premier League at our next meeting.   [LNB]'You can be fairly sure that no one asked the paying punters what they thought.'[LNB]The Premier League confirmed that the switch was within the rules,and Wigan said the move would allow their players such as Colombia'sHugo Rodallega and Honduran Hendry Thomas more time to recover fromfar-flung international games.[LNB] International duty: Columbia's Hugo Rodallega will have a longer time to recover[LNB] A Wigan spokesman said: 'It was mutually agreed that, beinginternational week, it would allow our players a bit more time torecover from their international duties.'   [LNB]It is understood that at the start of the season Tottenham alwaysrequest for the first match after an international week to be played ona Sunday, and a similar situation arose with a game against Newcastlein a previous season.  [LNB] Ironically, with so many England players in their squad, many ofTottenham's internationals will not have been involved in a midweekmatch. [LNB] Modric out of Wigan clash with Spurs still baffled over midfielder's returnTottenham set to bring ex-Newcastle striker LuaLua back to EnglandWhen Harry met Fergie: Redknapp and Sir Alex talk a good gameSpurs and Portsmouth target Ben Arfa in furious bust-up with Marseille boss [LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People:Malcolm ClarkePlaces:United Kingdom, Colombia, Europe

Source: Daily_Mail