Chelsea hit out at fixture switch
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Chelsea have accused the football authorities of handing their rivals an advantage after their game with Everton was brought forward two days.
Chelsea issued a statement on their official website insisting the decision, taken for television purposes, undermines the integrity of the competition.
Chelsea's statement read: "Chelsea is extremely disappointed with the announcement today regarding the Everton fixture.
"We believe the decision to hold the match on Thursday April 17 undermines the sporting integrity of the competition by giving our rivals for the Premier League title an unnecessary competitive advantage at a critical time of the season, with more recovery time from their previous match and preparation time for their next fixture when we have to play two games during the same period.
"Secondly there has been no consideration given to our fans who will be presented with serious travel, work and other issues.
"And lastly, the decision sets a dangerous precedent in changing match days still further when fixture congestion does not exist and when a sensible solution regarding other television matches that weekend was suggested.
"Football has benefited greatly from the backing of television and Chelsea as much as anyone else. However this decision is one step too far and we reserve all rights on our position.''
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Fans get stuck into free Toffees tickets
Chelsea are giving their supporters free tickets for this month's rescheduled Premier League match against Everton at Goodison Park.
The Blues are unhappy at being asked to play two league games in the space of 72 hours after their trip to Goodison Park was rescheduled for television.
The club insist the change, which sees the game put back two days to Thursday April 17, "undermines the sporting integrity of the competition", as it comes three days after they host Wigan.
Chelsea will use the TV money gained from the game to pay for tickets and travel for their supporters.
"We've continued to make very strong representations for the date of the Everton away game to be changed," Chelsea said in a statement. "This now seems unlikely.
"Under these circumstances, Chelsea believes it would be inappropriate to profit from the television fee for this match as per normal."
Chelsea have been allocated 2,900 seats for the game and will offer refunds to fans who have already bought tickets.
They also plan to pay for train or bus tickets to get supporters to and from the game.
Everton have previously described the fixture change as an "uncomfortable precedent".
At the time of the switch, the Premier League defended the move, saying: "The compilation of the fixture list is a complex procedure.
"It faces enormous pressure from international match and European competition dates, as well as the need to balance the important requirements of the police and our broadcasters.
"We are also required by the European Commission to televise 138 matches per season, which brings its own inevitable pressures."