Chelsea-Man Utd WSL game postponed at weekâs notice
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Published
Chelseaâs Womenâs Super League game at home to Manchester United next Sunday has been postponed at a weekâs notice.
It has been called off because of a conflict with the Bluesâ European schedule.
The Womenâs Champions League draw was made on Friday and Chelseaâs group game at home to Real Madrid has been scheduled for just two days after the United game â on Tuesday, 8 October.
Chelsea said that ânumerous discussionsâ have taken place to seek an âamicable solution to this scheduling conflictâ but they proved unsuccessful.
A club statement added: âIt is therefore with sincere regret that we are left with no other option than to confirm the postponement of next weekendâs WSL fixture.
âWe are extremely disappointed with the outcome but wish to reiterate that player welfare and the impact on our supporters are of the utmost importance to us.â
A new date for the WSL game, which was scheduled to be broadcast live on Sky Sports, is yet to be confirmed. Ticket refunds will be available up to 48 hours before that date.
The Womenâs Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) , which runs the WSL, said: âWe apologise for any inconvenience to fans. In this instance, we have to put player welfare first.â
Given Uefa had published its match calendar a year ago, the WPLL had been in regular contact with Uefa prior to the draw and had requested that no English team be scheduled to play on 8 October having foreseen the potential issue.
Uefa told BBC Sport: âThere are two well-established draw principles concerning teams from the same national association.â
Among them was an assurance that the top two seeded clubs from a country play on âdifferent days of every match weekâ.
The issue adds to wider concerns about scheduling as the womenâs game becomes more congested.
Earlier this month, Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall said he was unhappy with scheduling, claiming the WSL and Uefa have âzero concernsâ over a lack of recovery time.
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Published1 day ago
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