The Football League and Sky have been accused of treating supporters with disregard after Charlton’s home match will Middlesbrough was rearranged with just 17 days’ notice.
Away supporters will travel over 250 miles to follow the Championship promotion-chasers to the Valley, which was changed from Saturday March 12 to the Sunday with just 17 days warning after Sky chose to show the game.
Coming just weeks after Leicester’s top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal was put back 24 hours for television coverage the decision has led the Football Supporters’ Federation to ask why supporters’ needs are being subsumed for those of broadcasters.
An FSF spokesperson said: “It's another example of football putting TV ahead of the match-going fan and shows a level of disregard for both home and away fans.
“Earlier this month Arsenal v Leicester City was also moved last minute to suit Sky's demands - why don't clubs put their own supporters first?”
Aitor Karanka's side, currently third in the Championship but two points behind Hull, will face a Charlton side mired in crisis off the field and caught at the foot of the league table.
With Middlesbrough fans reacting angrily on social media to news that their game has been moved at such late notice the club have decided to offer £50 to reimburse those supporters travelling by train.
A statement on the club's official website reads: “As a gesture to fans who have already booked train travel for the original date, the club will contribute to the cost of exchanging rail tickets to attend on the Sunday up to a maximum value of £50.”
However with an off-peak return ticket for Sunday's game costing £127 it offers little succour to any supporters who are unable to exchange or rearrange their current tickets.
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Football League rules stipulate that fixture dates should be confirmed “as soon as practicable” though no specific provision is made for rearranging Saturday fixtures for the needs of television.
It is not the first time Middlesbrough fans have been inconvenienced in the name of live coverage, with December’s trip to Brighton pushed forward to a 12:30pm kick-off.
Arsenal were also forced to offer season ticket holders a refund when the game against Leicester was rearranged three weeks ahead of the game day.
