The kick-off times for the upcoming FA Cup semi-final matches have been adjusted following a request from the Metropolitan Police. The changes affect two highly anticipated games: Manchester United vs Coventry and Manchester City vs Chelsea.
Manchester United's clash with Coventry, originally scheduled for 4pm on Sunday, April 21, has been moved forward to 3:30pm. This change comes as a result of the Metropolitan Police categorizing it as a high-risk fixture due to potential public order concerns.
The Football Association (FA) initially requested the later kick-off time but had to comply with the police's request for an earlier start.
The decision is yet to be officially confirmed by FA
On another note, Manchester City match against Chelsea will now commence at 5:15pm on Saturday, April 20. According to reports by Daily Mail, this decision is expected to be confirmed at a local Safety Advisory Group meeting later on Friday.
Historically, there have been disagreements over kick-off times between governing bodies like The FA and law enforcement agencies such as the Met. Broadcasters like ITV and Sky Sports also find themselves in this mix due to their vested interest in attracting larger audiences and generating more advertising revenue through later kick-offs.
In recent years, it has become customary to schedule significant games like FA Cup semi-finals during evening hours when viewership tends to be higher. However, safety concerns often necessitate earlier start times.
Carabao Cup Final also was shifted to 3pm because of danger
Many games involving popular teams such as Liverpool or Manchester United are often deemed "high-risk", leading authorities to push for earlier kick-offs. This trend is reportedly causing frustration among entities like English Football League (EFL) and The FA who prefer later kick-off times for their potential to draw larger audiences.
Last month's Carabao Cup final had to be moved forward to 3pm due to similar safety concerns. The same situation occurred ahead of last season's FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City.
As the football season continues, it is believed that such changes could also affect the scheduling of the FA Cup final set for May 25. This ongoing balancing act between safety and viewership underscores the complexities involved in organizing major sporting events.
