{"id":458258,"date":"2026-04-28T18:19:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T18:19:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/458258\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T18:19:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T18:19:15","slug":"man-city-frustrated-as-premier-league-bosses-ignore-title-plea-to-maintain-integrity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/458258\/","title":{"rendered":"Man City frustrated as Premier League bosses ignore title plea to \u2018maintain integrity\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Premier League has now confirmed the fixture changes for the penultimate weekend of the season, leaving title-chasing Manchester City facing a tricky period to negotiate<\/p>\n<p>15:30, 28 Apr 2026Updated 15:30, 28 Apr 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\" 'Pep' Guardiola, head coach of Manchester City, looks dejected \" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_GettyImages-2273282226.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Pep Guardiola is unlikely to be happy with the outcome\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Pep Guardiola is unlikely to be happy with the outcome(Image: James Gill\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Premier League bosses have ignored Manchester City\u2019s plea for help on their fixture backlog. City boss <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/pep-guardiola\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Pep Guardiola<\/a> now faces the prospect of <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/premier-league-fixture-changes-tv-37076075\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">three crunch games in the space of seven days<\/a> as they chase a domestic Treble.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">City will face <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/crystal-palace-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Crystal Palace<\/a> on Wednesday May 13 at 8pm, then the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/fa-cup\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">FA Cup<\/a> final at Wembley on Saturday May 16, and three days later they go to <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/afc-bournemouth\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Bournemouth<\/a> for a 7.30pm kick-off.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It means they will face two tough title clashes as they go head-to-head with <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/arsenal-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Arsenal<\/a> and then the FA Cup final against <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/chelsea-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Chelsea<\/a>. They will have just two clear days to prepare for Wembley and two clear days ahead of Bournemouth.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">That could be a huge blow to their title chances, but the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/premier-league\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Premier League<\/a> resisted City\u2019s attempts to flip the Palace and Bournemouth games to allow them one extra day of recovery.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!<\/strong><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mirrorfootball\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"> Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football&#8217;s Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37076075\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/premier-league-fixture-changes-tv-37076075\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Arsenal, Man City and Tottenham get new fixture dates as Premier League confirm changes<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37078998\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/man-city-premier-league-charges-37078998\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Man City 115 charges latest: Update provided as Premier League face &#8216;awkward&#8217; scenario<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Premier League directive says that the first outstanding game should be played first and it is understood several clubs insisted that the schedule should not be changed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky have also picked Chelsea\u2019s London derby with <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/tottenham-hotspur-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Tottenham<\/a> on May 19 and that will kick-off at 8.15pm. Arsenal\u2019s final home game of the season against <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/burnley-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Burnley<\/a> will be played on Monday, May 18, which is unlikely to please fans.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But City have been left frustrated by the outcome and believe they have been hard done by because the Palace game has needed to be re-arranged since February and they have put forward several alternative dates.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Premier League trophy lifted aloft after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on May 22, 2022 in Manchester, United Kingdom.\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1_GettyImages-1398721153.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"The Premier League fixtures have been updated\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The Premier League fixtures have been updated(Image: Visionhaus\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">They also make the point that their game at Burnley was immediately re-arranged because of their FA Cup semi-final and there is a huge strain on players and they have concerns over player welfare.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It is also understood that had <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Liverpool<\/a> beaten City in the FA Cup quarter-final, a proposal had already been put forward for Palace vs <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/west-ham-united-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">West Ham<\/a> to be moved back to Sunday 19 instead of Mon 20, which the Prem would have accepted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky\u2019s other picks for the penultimate weekend are <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/aston-villa-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Aston Villa<\/a> v Liverpool on May 17 at 12.30pm, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/manchester-united-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Manchester United<\/a> vs <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/nottingham-forest-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Nottingham Forest<\/a> at the same time and also <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/newcastle-united-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Newcastle<\/a> vs West Ham on May 17 at 5.30pm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Premier League have insisted that they try to be fair to all sides to ensure the integrity of the league.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Feq1SEG6mXDIZGTTnek7oz\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Mirror<\/a> <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Football<\/a> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you&#8217;re curious, you can read our <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reachplc.com\/site-services\/privacy-policy\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package<\/p>\n<p>This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/affiliates\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1769985373_160_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Premier League has now confirmed the fixture changes for the penultimate weekend of the season, leaving title-chasing&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":458259,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[76],"tags":[18,21937,19,17,16566,795,132],"class_list":["post-458258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-eire","tag-fa-cup","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-manchester-city-fc","tag-premier-league","tag-sports"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116483717325242995","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458258","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=458258"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458258\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/458259"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=458258"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=458258"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=458258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}