Sunderland Manager Sam Allardyce Calls Premier League Fixture Scheduling 'Diabolical'

Sunderland Manager Sam Allardyce "has accused the Premier League of devaluing the FA Cup," according to the BBC. He said that it was "diabolical" that top-flight clubs have league fixtures the Tuesday and Wednesday after the weekend's third-round ties. Allardyce said, "Of course I'm going to make changes for our cup tie at Arsenal on Saturday. We're flogging the lads. There are more and more injuries every year, but it's ignored by the Premier League." He added, "If the Premier League decides to put a stupid fixture midweek when they don't bloody need to, then I haven't got much choice than to make changes. If you want us to respect the FA Cup, don't put Premier League fixtures in the midweek just after new year." Sunderland's game with Swansea "was due to be played on Tuesday but was moved back a day" because the Welsh side has an FA Cup tie at Oxford United on Sunday. Allardyce "was aggrieved by the switch because his side play at Tottenham" in in a Saturday lunchtime kick-off on Jan. 16 (BBC, 1/4).