Alan Shearer has expressed his disappointment over the decision to feature just a single Premier League match on Boxing Day this year, questioning the current state of affairs with, “What is the world coming to?”

Historically, Boxing Day has been a cornerstone of the football season, a time when fans across the nation enjoy festive leftovers while indulging in a full slate of matches.

This tradition was disrupted when the Premier League announced that Manchester United’s 8 pm fixture against Bournemouth would be the sole game played the day after Christmas.

Shearer shared his disbelief with Betfair, saying, “I can’t believe there is only one game on Boxing Day. For me, the holiday season is incomplete without football.”

Reflecting on his own experiences, Shearer mentioned, “I can’t recall the last time I had Boxing Day off. Even post-retirement, I kept busy by volunteering for Match of the Day. But this year, for reasons I can’t fathom, I won’t be working on Boxing Day. The fact that there’s just one match feels utterly bizarre.”

Alan Shearer has hit out at the decision to have one televised Premier League Boxing Day game

The decision sparked outrage among festive football fans – leaving them feeling like the Grinch

Boxing Day has been a festive favourite in years gone by with packed schedules of football

He continued, “What’s happening? While countries like Germany and Spain enjoy a break, I’ve always known Boxing Day to be synonymous with sports. It’s astonishing to see just one game scheduled.”

‘The big thing in this country is sport on Boxing Day. There are usually so many matches in and around this period. I think I’d be lost without it. God knows what it would be like if there wasn’t one.’

Boxing Day has thrown up some of the greatest moments in Premier League history, with famous schedules packed with football from the start of the day until the end.

But Premier League fans will have to wait until Saturday for more action, with two matches scheduled for television broadcast. First, Man City travel to Nottingham Forest at 12.30pm, before Chelsea host high-flying Aston Villa.

‘[We] would like to acknowledge the circumstances that have led to a reduced number of matches on Boxing Day this season – impacting an important tradition in English football,’ The Premier League said in a statement.

‘There are now several challenges to Premier League fixture scheduling rooted in the expansion of European club competitions – which led to a revision of our domestic calendar ahead of last season, including changes to the FA Cup. This ultimately left the Premier League as a 33-weekend competition – fewer than previous seasons, despite being a 380-match competition since 1995.

‘With fewer weekends to work with, the League is bound by how the calendar falls. The League can give an assurance that next season there will be more Premier League matches on Boxing Day – as the date falls on a Saturday.’

The return of Boxing Day football next season will come as a delight to many fans.

Shearer says the festive period was his favourite time as a player because he scored lots goals

‘I loved the Christmas period as a player,’ Shearer continued. ‘I saw a stat on Saturday that December was my second-best month for goals. I loved this period because you can’t really train much; you’re playing and recovering. I loved how hectic and busy it was. 

‘All managers do it differently. Some give you Christmas Day off totally. Some have you train in the morning or afternoon. Kenny Dalglish at Blackburn gave us Christmas Day off, while Sir Bobby Robson had us in on Christmas morning. I absolutely loved this period just because of the number of games.

‘I was slightly fortunate with my Christmas dinner. I didn’t overindulge anyway, but I could still have the full trappings minus the alcohol. I could still eat what I wanted for a Christmas lunch. It didn’t really affect me that much, so I’m one of the lucky ones who got away with it.

‘I’ve got good and bad memories of Christmas. In my first season at Blackburn, I was sat on 22 goals on Boxing Day, and unfortunately, I ruptured my cruciate ligament. I scored two against Leeds at Ewood Park, and ten minutes later, I went through in a challenge and did my knee. But I remember many times scoring lots of goals on Boxing Day. I just felt good in and around this period.’

Though Premier League fans may not have the usual offerings of a day full of football, Sky Sports are still broadcasting matches throughout the English football pyramid.

The action kicks off at 12.30pm in the Championship, where Birmingham are hosting Derby County, before a swathe of 3pm kick-offs are shown on Sky Sports+ – with Chesterfield vs Notts County selected for Sky Sports Main Event.

And before Man United kick off the Premier League’s action, Wrexham host Sheffield United on Sky Sports Main Event at 5.30pm on Friday.