Uefa refuses to budge over Everton FC tea time match

UEFA today refused to budge over ludicrous rules which will force Everton FC to play a key European tie at 5.45pm on a Tuesday.It will leave thousands of fans with a headache over how to get to the first-leg clash against Sporting Lisbon on February 16 and has left fans groups fuming.Uefa said the move was necessary following a fixture clash with Liverpool FC, who face Romanian side Unirea Urziceni in the standard Thursday night slot on February 18.European footballs governing body said Evertons match could not be played any later than 5.45pm or it would clash with Champions League TV coverage.Today, Everton said the timing of the fixture would hit attendance at the match.Fans groups hit out at Uefas rules, which moved the Blues to the inconvenient slot instead of the Reds because Liverpool finished higher in the Premier League last season.John Munro, chairman of the Southport Everton Supporters Group, said: These people sit in their offices drinking fine wine and could not care less about the supporters.I do not give a damn who finished higher in the domestic league this is the Europa League we are talking about. Surely it would have been fairer to toss a coin.Uefa spokesman Rob Falkner said because both Everton and Liverpool were unseeded in yesterdays last 32 draw, they had to play their first leg matches at home, causing the clash.He added: It is a shame there is a clash, but it is not the only case it is just the peculiarity of the draw.I am sure Everton fans will manage to get there on time.

Source: Liverpool_Echo