Newcastle supporters accuse Premier League of 'selling their soul' over TV rights as they get ready to embark on long and exhausting away journeys

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Newcastle United fans have accused the Premier League of 'selling their soul' over TV rights as supporters prepare for an exhausting quartet of away fixtures all moved for Sky Sports cameras.

Rafa Benitez's side travel to Swansea on Sunday afternoon for a 4pm kick off at the Liberty Stadium, and supporters will be embarking on the longest journey any away fans have to make in the top flight this season – a 708-mile round trip.

Due to the revised kick-off time, it is impossible to get back to Newcastle on public transport after the match, with the last train to the North East leaving at 5.51pm from Swansea station, over a mile away from the ground.

Newcastle face Swansea at 4pm on Sunday - a huge 708-mile round trip for the Magpies

Subsequent trips to Brighton and Southampton, the third and fourth longest away trips to be made by Premier League supporters this season, have also been moved to 4pm on a Sunday afternoon, while the following trip to Burnley is now on a Monday night.

It is a schedule that the Newcastle United Supporters Trust believe shows a complete lack of regard for their fanbase and they have blamed the Premier League for failing them.

A spokesman for the NUST said: 'The way Newcastle's away fixtures have been rescheduled is unfair to our fans and it's the fault of the Premier League for not caring enough about the fans when they sell their soul to the TV companies.

'We believe that away fans matter in football. We take one of the biggest contingent of fans with us to all our away games.

'Apart from the fantastic support they give to the team, they play an integral part in making the Premier League product what it is.

'It seems to us that the clubs with the most loyal support are taken for granted because whatever happens, we still turn up. If fans can't travel, the game overall will suffer.'

Newcastle supporters going to Sunday's top flight fixture have no available trains home

As the sole North East representatives in the league this season, travelling to away fixtures was always going to be an arduous task. Indeed, the five longest trips during this campaign will be made by Benitez's men.

However, the rescheduling has made daunting journeys impossible for the Toon Army. As well as being unable to catch a return train from Wales, none are scheduled to leave Burnley on Monday 30 October at a time to help fans get home from their 8pm clash at Turf Moor.

And while It is still possible for journeys to be completed to Brighton and Southampton via Virgin's East Coast service, it requires a dash up to London Victoria to catch the last service at 9.41pm, a service that will not get fans home before 00.37am on a Monday morning.

The alternative is to drive to fixtures, or take private coaches, with the matches on Sunday requiring an 11-hour round trip, should all roads be clear.

Newcastle also play Brighton and Southampton away at 4pm in the Premier League soon 

The Premier League insists that it does not take away supporters for granted and appreciates the role they play in creating the matchday experience, however it said there are other factors TV companies have to consider too, before selecting games.

'Premier League clubs recognise the special nature and importance of away fans,' a league spokesperson said.

'The geographical make-up of the League this season, in particular having only one North East club, one Welsh club, and for the first time three south coast clubs, means that some fans will have to travel greater distances than in previous seasons.

'The compilation of the fixture list is a complex process and includes the Premier League granting Sky and BT the ability, after several other factors have been considered, to make their live match selections.

'They should not be criticised for this. Their investment plays a huge part in enabling clubs to sign and develop exciting players, improve stadiums, and deliver the most comprehensive community programme in professional sport – all things that fans enjoy and society benefits from.'