Plans to stage Liverpool's visit to Arsenal on Christmas Eve "face being derailed by stadium safety concerns amid the reluctance of stewards to staff the game," according to Jeremy Wilson of the London TELEGRAPH. Talks "remain ongoing" between Arsenal, Islington Council, the Metropolitan Police and Liverpool over a proposal to broadcast the Premier League's first Christmas Eve match since '95 but, "as well the threat of a fan boycott, there are now fears that it will not be possible to meet safety regulations." Clubs must get a safety certificate from their local council for every match and, as of Tuesday morning, Arsenal was reportedly "still unable to guarantee that sufficient numbers of stewards would be willing to work at that time." The issue was also discussed and voted on at a meeting of the Arsenal Supporters' Trust on Monday, with 99% of members saying that they would be opposed to a possible 4pm Christmas Eve kickoff. Just "under half" -- 45% -- also said that they "would not attend if the match is staged at this time." As well as the stewarding issue, the clubs are "worried about transport and how fans will get back home ahead of Christmas Day" (TELEGRAPH, 10/3).
TRAVEL CHAOS: In London, James Olley reported the FA is "hopeful of a crowd in excess of 60,000" for England's World Cup qualifier against Slovenia on Thursday "despite travel chaos affecting the capital." It is understood that "around two-thirds of tickets have already been sold for the game," which could see Gareth Southgate's side book its place at next summer's World Cup in Russia "with a match to spare." The FA has been in consultation with Transport for London and National Express to "set up a range of transport options following the announcement of a proposed 24-hour strike" by members of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen in a "dispute over working conditions" (EVENING STANDARD, 10/3).
