The Premier League will pause, at least this year, the 'Boxing Day' tradition, which has been present for over 80 years in the world's best league, and the reason is due to television contracts. 'Boxing Day' is celebrated every December 26th, when all matches of the same matchday are played simultaneously or staggeredly, depending on the occasion, in both the Premier League and its lower divisions. According to what the Argentine News Agency could find out, the origin of this custom dates back to the 19th century, when boxes with gifts, money or food were given to employees every December 26th as a thank you for their work during the year. Additionally, for working during Christmas, those who served in wealthy households had the 26th off to take the boxes they were given. In the Premier League, the world's most important football league, 'Boxing Day' has been celebrated for about 80 years, although there is one edition that is most remembered by football fans: it is the one from 1963, when 66 goals were scored in 10 matches. On that day, the biggest win since this celebration began also occurred, as Fulham crushed Ipswich Town 10-1. However, this year there will be no 'Boxing Day' as it is known in the Premier League, and the main culprits are the television contracts. This is because 33 weekends must be played per year and only five midweek matchdays, so the 10 matches cannot be played on this December 26th due to how tight the football calendar is. In any case, football fans will be able to enjoy at least one Premier League match this Friday, as Manchester United will receive Newcastle at 17 (Argentina time), in a match corresponding to matchday 18.
