The Premier League have reportedly ignored a request made by England manager Roy Hodgson and the Football Association to avoid scheduling high-profile matches before the Three Lions' World Cup qualifying games in September.
The national side will take on Moldova on September 6 and Ukraine four days later, but the 2013-14 fixtures have indicated that during the preceding weekend Liverpool take on Manchester United, while Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur compete in the first North London derby of the campaign.
It is understood that an FA delegation held a number of meetings with Premier League officials before the fixtures were compiled in a bid to avoid selecting matches that were likely to be shown on Sky prior to England's World Cup qualifiers, according to The Telegraph.
Widespread reports have claimed that Hodgson has been left reeling at the Premier League's decision not to accommodate the FA's request.
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Danielle Joynson
