EXCLUSIVE: Police will force the FA to bring forward the kick-off time for the first-ever Manchester derby FA Cup final over security concerns – denying the desired 5.30pm start
- The FA is facing a logistical headache over when to schedule the FA Cup final
- The Met Police refuse to approve their preferred time of 5.30pm
- Police consider the Manchester final a high-risk game for fan trouble
The Met Police will force the FA to bring forward the kick-off of the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United next month due to security concerns.
Mail sports has learned that police have classified the first-ever Manchester derby Cup final on June 3 as a high-risk match and are refusing to approve the FA’s preferred kick-off time of 5.30pm.
The police ruling leaves the FA facing potentially fraught negotiations with their broadcast partners, ITV and BBC, as well as race officials.
The logistical problems caused by police concerns have been exacerbated by a possible clash with the Derby at Epsom, which the Jockey Club says will be held at 4.30pm but may now be brought forward.
The impact of the clash has been compounded by the fact that both events are televised by ITV who would ideally schedule them both in the late afternoon with a significant gap between the two to maximize and do justice to audience size. to both. To further complicate matters, the BBC also has live rights to the FA Cup final and so will also have to agree to the kick-off time.
The FA is facing a logistical headache over when to schedule the FA Cup final on June 3
The Metropolitan Police are refusing to approve the 5.30pm start time requested by the FA
Police took steps to curb late kick-offs at Wembley Stadium after the violence that marred England’s final defeat to Italy at the European Championship two years ago (pictured)
The FA has no choice but to follow the advice of the police, who have taken measures to suppress the late kick-off at Wembley after the violence that marred England’s Euro 2016 defeat to Italy two years ago.
Last weekend’s semi-finals started at 4.45pm and 4.30pm and although further talks will take place this week, police have made it clear that 4.45pm is the latest time they will tolerate.
The FA will also hold talks with ITV, who are in the difficult position of keeping two of their main partners happy.
Jockey Club officials have privately indicated they would be willing to hold the Derby on the card at Epsom earlier so that both events can be shown on ITV1.
It is the first such clash of the two events, with the FA Cup final being held in June for the first time due to the disruption caused by the mid-season World Cup.