THE FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United will kick off at 3pm on Saturday, May 25.
But it is not good news for fans of rugby and football as it is set to clash with the European Champions Cup final.
The kick-off time will replicate last year’s final between the two sides – which was brought forward from 5.15pm to 3pm.
This year’s Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea also kicked off at 3pm.
According to The Mail, the Metropolitan Police do not want it to be any later due to the risk of crowd trouble at Wembley.
The FA are keen for the final to be played in the evening as this would generate a larger TV audience in both the UK and US.
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However, it is now understood 3pm is set to be confirmed as the kick-off time later this week following talks between the FA, Met Police, Brent Council, BBC, and ITV.
This will come as a blow to ITV as they are also showing the European Champions Cup final on the same afternoon.
The match, which is being hosted at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, will kick off at 2.45pm.
One of Toulouse and Harlequins will face off against Leinster or Northampton Saints for the trophy.
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Bruno Fernandes should be embarrassed by this… United fans were, says Neil Custis
By Neil Custis
BRUNO FERNANDES ended the FA Cup semi-final a man bemused as to what he had been a part of.
No doubt knowing it would be he would have to try and explain it all again.
Rarely have a team slunk away from this stadium with a feeling of embarrassment having just reach an FA Cup Final.
The next time Fernandes turns up at the home of football he wants to be heading up those metal steps and picking up silverware.
Nothing less will do for the captain of Manchester United.
But he knows they have not got a hope of gaining revenge on this cross town rivals Manchester City if this is what they are going to deliver.
This was an embarrassment, plain and simple, for Ten Hag, for Fernandes, for every player in red.
After the skipper finished his TV interview he turned around to the end that had housed the United fans to clap them in thanks.
There was barely anyone left.
Read Neil Custis’ opinion in full here.
Or click here to read all of Neil’s article.
It is likely the match will now be shown on ITV4.
And rugby authorities are said to be disgruntled as the FA Cup final is set to diminish coverage of the European Champions Cup final.
But they will not change their own kick-off time as they had already selected it to avoid clashing with the Cannes Film Festival and Coupe de France final.
No concerns have been raised by the police about both finals taking place in London at the same time.
Man City beat Man Utd 2-1 to win the FA Cup last year.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
