THE FA Cup final is set to revert to its traditional kickoff slot – for the first time in 12 years.
Manchester City’s potential treble-chasing FA Cup Final with neighbours United is now poised for a 3pm start on June 3 after police intervention.
And the knock-on effects are also to include the Epsom Derby field going to the stalls later than scheduled the same afternoon.
ITV is screening both the Epsom showpiece and – alongside the BBC – the Wembley clash on June 3.
But while it had been expected the FA Cup Final would start at 5.30pm, Metropolitan Police made it clear the “high-risk” match had to begin earlier.
There were also concerns about fans getting back to the north west by train.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
That has seen the game switched back to 3pm.
It will be the first time since City beat Stoke – on the same day United won the Premier League title in 2011 – that the FA Cup final has kicked off at 3pm.
But it means a switch for the most famous of the Classic races, which had been due to go to post at 4.30pm.
Instead, the Derby will now start at the end of the post final ceremonials.
Most read in FA Cup
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
That could mean the stalls opening at around 6pm if the Wembley showpiece goes to extra time and penalties.
City reached the FA Cup Final with a routine 3-0 win over Sheffield United.
United meanwhile overcame Brighton on penalties after a nervy game finished 0-0 after extra-time.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
