Louise (Admin)
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Anger over Easter Sunday footballThe Archbishop of York has attacked the "glory hunting" decision to stage two Premier League clashes on Easter Sunday - and said the clubs involved would do well to remember their history.
Dr John Sentamu is behind church leaders who said the decision to play games showed disdain for the religious traditions of Great Britain.
The Archbishop said the games between Aston Villa and Everton, and Manchester City and Fulham should be moved, to make Easter Sunday as important as Christmas Day.
And he said were it not for Christ's resurrection from the cross the clubs involved would not exist.
His call comes after Premier League chief Richard Scudamore and Setanta director of sport Trevor East were this week accused of disregarding the importance of Easter Sunday and treading on the sensitivities of employees and football supporters in the name of profit.
Politicians have been asked to ban future matches on Easter Day.
Speaking exclusively to the News of the World, Archbishop Sentamu said it should be a day to spend time with those we love.
And he said each of the teams playing - as well as Liverpool, Spurs, Birmingham City, Southampton, Barnsley and Bolton, amongst others - were founded by the church.
He said: "The greatest irony for me in these two fixtures is the fact that without the very first Easter Day, the teams involved in today's matches would not exist at all.
"Football has come a long way since members of the Aston Villa Church Bible Class formed a football team in 1874 and the members of St Domingo's Bible Class started playing football at Stanley Park in 1884.
"But when Villa take on Everton this afternoon for the riches of European glory, they would do well to recall the faith of their founders and to abandon the amnesia of their heritage."
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