Southampton fans have hit out at the decision to move their Premier League game away at Manchester United to a Friday night due to the domestic broadcasting schedule.
The Premier League announced on Thursday that the first Friday night clash of the season will see United welcome Southampton to Old Trafford on Aug. 19.
Up to 10 games are due to take place on a Friday night this term as part of the record £5 billion British TV deal, which kicks in for the upcoming campaign.
With off-peak return train tickets from Southampton to Manchester reportedly costing £110, and given the last train back to the South coast departs during the second half, Saints fans have been left angered by the fixture change, which may see them have to take a day off work and pay for a hotel in order to attend the game.
"They have not considered the fans in the slightest and they never do," Steve Grant, a Southampton season-ticket holder and owner of fans' forum SaintsWeb, is quoted as saying by The Times.
"The vast majority of the fans have been ground into the dirt so much that we almost just reluctantly accept that we are going to get stiffed around. The fans don't get enough notice."
The Premier League also announced on Thursday that champions Leicester will kick off the new season against newly promoted Hull at 12.30 p.m. local time on Aug. 13.