By Keith Hackett

12th Sep, 2022 | 11:31am

Ex-Fifa official: Crystal Palace told to U-turn on Brighton clash after twist

Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace should make a U-turn and play their Premier League game on Saturday (17 September), according to Keith Hackett.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee admitted it would not be easy to do but a call should be made soon.

The two clubs announced last week (7 September) that the game had been postponed due to a proposed rail strike that was set to take place the same day.

However, the RMT have called off the strike after the death of Queen Elizabeth II but there has been no word from either club as to whether that will affect the status of the game.

“The rail strike is not going to be on so that was the reason,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.

“Palace have probably got enough time now to try and get that game on.

“As I’ve said before it’s not a simple case of switching the light switch and saying ‘That game is on’. They’ve got all the stewarding, all the catering, all the match programmes, all the ancillary things to set up.

“They’ve got to set up the television. We usually think television just happens but they are usually in the ground on a Thursday setting up the cameras and all the cables.

“It’s not an easy call but the sooner it is made the better.”

If this weekend’s game does not go ahead, the two teams will not be in Premier League action until October.

Their games this weekend were postponed as a mark of respect after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

In other news, an ex-Premier League referee has issued a “corrupt” claim after a Crystal Palace reveal.