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      Why are there no Premier League games on Saturday?

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      THE 2024/25 Premier League season has almost reached its climax with just two rounds of fixtures remaining.Matchweek 37 has a rare schedule with no games taking place on Saturday.No Premier League fixtures will take place this SaturdayCredit: GettySunSport brings you the reason why no matches are scheduled for the customary slots on the penultimate matchweek of the season.Why are there no Premier League games on Saturday?There will be no top-flight fixtures taking place on Saturday after a drastic change to the footballing calendar was made prior to the 2024/25 season starting.Last April, the FA and the Premier League reached an agreement that the FA Cup final would be played on an exclusive Saturday.And the blockbuster Wembley showpiece between Crystal Palace and Manchester City is scheduled for this Saturday, which is why no Prem matches are taking place.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe FA’s statement last year read: “The Emirates FA Cup Final will now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, on an exclusive Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day.”The announcement also stated that no Prem games would be played the day before the final: “Additionally, there will be no Premier League games on the Friday night before the Final, to allow focus on the build-up to the showpiece event.”However, that is now not happening with two top-flight fixtures booked in for Friday night.Manchester United’s clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was moved to the Friday in April to ensure there is no clash with the Women’s FA Cup final between the two clubs.Most read in FootballAnd due to the Red Devils’ involvement in the Europa League final with Tottenham, Spurs put a request in to the Premier League to move their Sunday fixture with Aston Villa to the Friday to allow both sides to have the same amount of rest time ahead of the all-English blockbuster in Bilbao.Premier League fixtures for Matchweek 37All times BSTFriday, May 167.30pm Aston Villa v Spurs (Sky Sports)8:15pm Chelsea v Man Utd (Sky Sports)Sunday, May 1812pm Everton v Southampton (TNT Sports)2:15pm West Ham v Nottingham Forest (Sky Sports)3pm Brentford v Fulham3pm Leicester City v Ipswich Town4:30pm Arsenal v Newcastle United (Sky Sports)Monday, May 198pm Brighton v Liverpool (Sky Sports)Tuesday, May 208pm Crystal Palace v Wolves8pm Man City v AFC Bournemouth More

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      Diehard Crystal Palace fans spend HUGE sum to get home from US holiday for FA Cup final before flying BACK out

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      THIS pair of diehard Crystal Palace fans have spent £20,000 to get home from a US holiday for the FA Cup final before flying back out. The side’s Wembley clash against Manchester City on May 17 falls three days into Mark and Anna Newlands’ ten-day trip to New York. Mark and Anna Newlands have spent £20,000 to get home from a US holiday for the FA Cup final before flying back outCredit: David HartleyThe pair say the club is in their DNA – so they have to be there for the finalCredit: David HartleyThe couple booked it months ago for a cousin’s birthday before the Eagles got to the final. So they have bought flights to get back the day before and will return to the US the day after. Mark said they would miss the big birthday but their relatives understood. The retired risk manager, 61, from Newbury, Berks, said: “The club is in my DNA. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”We have to be there. “I’m not bothered if this is sensible or not. It’ll be worth every penny.” Anna, 62, is just as devoted to the South London club and did not hesitate when Mark suggested the plan. The pair, pictured at the semi-final win over Aston Villa, hope it will be third time lucky after Palace lost their two previous finals. Most read in FootballThe couple’s son James, also a Palace season ticket holder, is attending the final although he is not on the New York trip — while their daughter Alice will stay in the Big Apple. Crystal Palace fans earn club an FA charge within 30 SECONDS after engulfing Wembley in smoke by sneaking in flaresHow the couple will fly from the US to watch Crystal play in the FA Cup final – then jet back More

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      Former Premier League star who was rushed to hospital after having two strokes wins triumphant Wembley final

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      FORMER Premier League star Tommy Widdrington celebrated triumph at Wembley as his Aldershot Town side beat Spennymoor 3-0 in the FA Trophy final.Widdrington, 53, said there was “not a prouder person in the stadium” after three second-half goals from Jack Barham, Dan Ellison and Josh Barrett saw them secure victory.Aldershot Town FC lifted the FA Trophy for the first time in their historyCredit: GettyFormer Southampton defender and Aldershot manager Tommy Widdrington suffered two strokes at the end of last yearCredit: PAWiddrington said there was ‘no one in the stadium prouder’ as he lifted the Cup with son, TheoCredit: GettyJosh Barrett, one of three second-half goalscorers, said the team would ‘party hard’Credit: GettyThe ex-Southampton ace – dad of Strictly star Kai – recovered from two strokes suffered at the end of last year to stand at the home of football and lift the Cup with the National League outfit, winning their first trophy since 2008.Widdrington told BBC Sport: “There is not a prouder person in this stadium, I’m very appreciative of the support I’ve had during my health problems and the people of Aldershot have been incredible.”To finish the year I had with this moment is great, this final is the best of the teams outside the top four divisions, it’s no mean feat to win this.”I’m made up for the lads and Wembley is about winning, if you don’t win it then it has to be the worst feeling in the world, the players have their names in the history books of the club, I’m delighted.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLGoalscorer Barrett added to the broadcaster that the team would “party hard” and reserved special praise to the manager and the fans.He called on the owners to back Widdrington with some money to make them “a League Two team in no time”.The 26-year-old said: “It’s crazy, I can’t believe these scenes.”We didn’t really execute the game plan in the first half but in the second half we dominated, that finish was one I knew was coming, I always try things and that’s who I am.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”The fans deserve this, give our manager some money and we will be a League Two team in no time, let’s hope we can get back up that table next season.”I’ve loved every minutes of being here, the fans have accepted me and we’re going to party tonight, party hard!”Diehard Crystal Palace fan with arm in sling goes viral after using his HEAD to clap FA Cup heroes at WembleyAldershot finished 16th in the National League this season.Meanwhile, Whitstable Town came from behind to beat AFC Whyteleafe 2-1 in the FA Vase earlier on.It was the Southern Counties side’s first ever time winning the trophy, with their previous best run in the competition being the fifth round in the 1996-97 season. More

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      Aston Villa legend dies aged 91 as tributes pour in after last surviving member of 1957 FA Cup-winning team passes away

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      AN ASTON Villa legend has died – as tributes pour in for the last surviving member of club’s 1957 FA Cup-winning team. Peter McParland, who also won 34 caps for his country, had recently celebrated his 91st birthday before his death, according to the club.Peter McParland was the last surviving member of 1957 FA Cup-winning teamHe passed away shortly after his 91st birthday, the club has confirmedCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe Northern Irishman scored both goals in the historic 2-1 win against Manchester United at Wembley – the last time the club lifted the trophy.He is also remembered for a dramatic extra-time winner against Rotherham United in 1961 – securing his team the League Cup title. This made him the first footballer to score in both major domestic knockout cup finals.Over a ten-year stint for Aston Villa, McParland scored 121 goals in 341 appearances.read more football newsHe was equally instrumental to his national side, scoring five goals for Northern Ireland at the 1958 World Cup – in which they reached the quarter finals.He remains the record-holder for the highest scoring Northern Irishman in World Cup history.In a statement, the club said it was “profoundly saddened” by the news of his death.It added: “The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Peter’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.”Most read in FootballMcParland was born in Newry, Northern Ireland, in April 1934 – and began his career with Dundalk FC.He was later signed by Villa manager George Martin – making his debut at home to Wolves in September 1952.The plucky young player was still a teenager when he won the first of his 34 international caps – scoring twice against Wales in 1954.As well as the League Cup and FA Cup titles, McParland also helped Villa to the Second Division title in 1959-60.Praising his breadth of talent, the club wrote: “Equally at home at centre-forward as on the left wing, McParland boasted a powerful header of the ball as well as possessing a talented left foot.”In January 1962, after his career at Villa, McParland joined Wolves for £35,000.And in the latter years of his career, he also had spells with Plymouth Argyle and Worcester City – as well as Toronto Inter-Roma in Canada and Atalanta Chiefs in the US.In 2015, Aston Villa hosted McParland as a guest at the 2015 cup final against Arsenal.And in January this year, he attended a special exhibition at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery to mark the club’s 150th anniversary.The Aston Villa team following the win against Manchester UnitedCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      FA Cup final gets never-before-seen kick-off time after BBC and ITV clash over scheduling

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      THE FA CUP final has been given a brand new kick-off time just two weeks before the showpiece match at Wembley Stadium.Manchester City and Crystal Palace’s season-concluding clash will start at a later time of 4:30pm BST on Saturday May 17.The FA Cup kick-off time has finally been shared with fansCredit: ReutersThe new time was agreed following collaboration with the two clubs, broadcasters, local authorities, police and the Safety Advisory Group.The FA Cup final has traditionally kicked off at 3pm – a time preferred by police.FA insiders confirmed that discussions over the kick-off time were delayed, with broadcasters BBC and ITV at odds.The Beeb wanted the game to start in the traditional 3pm slot – ensuring that even if the match were to go to extra-time or penalties there would be no overlap issues with the Eurovision Song Contest broadcast due to start at 8pm.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSMore than 7.5million people in the UK watched Eurovision on the BBC last year, with the corporation desperate to not see the final clash with the competition.ITV were understood to be pushing for a 5.30pm kick-off to maximum viewer numbers and advertising demand.The 2022 final between Chelsea and Liverpool was forced to start at 4:45pm because of a scheduling clash with Eurovision that night too.In each of the Chelsea’s previous trips to Wembley in 2021 and 2020 for the FA Cup final kick-off has been at 5:15pm and 5:30pmMost read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCity booked their place in the final for the third straight year with a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last Sunday,Goals from Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol gave Pep Guardiola the chance to end a disappointing season with another trophy.Diehard Crystal Palace fan with arm in sling goes viral after using his HEAD to clap FA Cup heroes at WembleyMeanwhile, Crystal Palace are chasing their first ever FA Cup gong after thrashing Aston Villa in the semi-final on Saturday.A wonder striker from Eberechi Eze and a double from Ismaila Sarr secured Palace’s third ever final in the competition.The 2024-25 FA Cup final will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer as well as ITV1 and ITVX.No Premier League matches have been scheduled for the final.There were rows and rows of empty seats for the FA Cup semi-finalsAnd City will be hoping that their fans actually turn up this time, after 5,000 fans snubbed the journey against Forest.Fans of both clubs are already raging over an increase in ticket prices – a first in six years – with fees ranging from £175 for a category 1 ticket to £50 for category 4.That’s a rise of £30 for category 1 tickets compared to the 2024 final.Read More on The SunA spokesperson said: “The FA Cup is our biggest revenue producer, and it allows us to invest more funding into every level of English football.“We will be freezing the prices of almost all tickets to the Emirates FA Cup Final for the next three years.” More

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      FA needs to urgently rethink policy on FA Cup semi-finals after rows and rows of empty Wembley seats

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      CAN you imagine turning up to a Taylor Swift gig and finding rows and rows of empty seats? Exactly, it wouldn’t happen.But last weekend, for a showpiece occasion at Wembley Stadium, there were banks of seating with no one in them.There were rows and rows of empty seats for the FA Cup semi-finalsCredit: ReutersIt was very far from a sell-out and the FA needs to urgently rethink their policy on FA Cup semi-finals.Push finally came to shove as the simple economics of attending matches in the capital hit home last Sunday as Manchester City against Nottingham Forest, two big clubs based many miles from Wembley, clashed for a place in the final.What greeted the millions of armchair viewers across the world, keen to tune in to the oldest football competition of them all? Thousands of unused plastic red seats.First of all, it’s not a good look. TV companies will not be remotely happy with this.Most read in FootballTrying to sell a tournament when there are empty seats galore is difficult if not impossible and it damages the image of the competition.A lot is said about the ‘magic’ of the FA Cup, but the TV coverage from Sunday will prompt many to ask why fans are not turning up.This is not a dig at City at all. They are one of the best-supported clubs but could only shift 27,000 of their 36,230 allocation.This was their 29th Wembley trip since the stadium was refurbished in 2007 so you can understand why a touch of London fatigue has kicked in.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSTicket prices cost between £30 and £150 and then you have the 400-mile round trip.Throw in food and drink, plus the Russian roulette of catching a train and you can see why thousands of die-hard fans said enough is enough.Karren Brady’s daughter Sophia reveals she’s pregnant with her second child – as Apprentic star is set to become a grandmother againAsking two clubs to travel so far from their fanbase is not only expensive, it’s also illogical.Why not use much closer, high-quality venues such as Villa Park or Old Trafford.Wembley should be reserved for the final. You might think that is traditionalist but some traditions are worth preserving.It always had a real aura about it and getting there was a kind of footballing El Dorado.By putting semi-finals there, the FA has diluted their own competition, with the result there were over 17,000 empty seats on Sunday.It’s not as if this was a rare occurrence as the 2023 FA Cup semi-final between City and Sheffield United attracted fewer than 70,000 at Wembley’s 90,000- capacity stadium.In 2019, just over 71,000 attended the semi-final between Brighton and City.I think some common sense as well as common decency is needed.If two clubs from the capital meet each other in an FA Cup semi-final, I can see the logic in hosting it at Wembley.Many Man City fans didn’t seem bothered to travel to the capital for the gameCredit: PABut dragging Northerners hundreds of miles to London, with the enormous costs involved, seems complete lunacy.Football needs to take care of its traditions and none more so than the FA Cup which, since it began in 1871, has seen 44 different clubs lift the famous trophy.It has been won by Blackpool and Burnley, Wimbledon and Wigan and the FA Cup needs to be cherished and respected.Perhaps the most famous FA Cup giant-killing goal of them all was Ronnie Radford’s screamer to help non-league Hereford knock out Newcastle in the 1970s.Read More on The SunRonnie’s reaction has gone down in folklore as he celebrated hands aloft, tummy out, wide-mouthed in disbelief.The reaction of the fans showed what it meant to the good folk of Hereford. Wouldn’t have been the same with rows of empty seats, would it? More

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      BBC at odds with ITV over FA Cup Final kick-off time with talks ongoing just TWO WEEKS before showpiece occasion

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      MANCHESTER CITY fans have slammed Wembley chiefs for keeping them in the FA Cup Final dark.With only 16 days before City run out against Crystal Palace for English football’s showpiece occasion, there has still been no confirmation of the kick-off time.Crystal Palace chief Oliver Glasner will lock horns with Man City counterpart Pep Guardiola in the FA Cup final on May 17Credit: AlamyThe two broadcasters have differing views on kick-off timeLast night the FA took all information about the game off its official website, with the page designation for Final details reading: “No Fixtures available, please check later.”FA insiders confirmed that discussions over the kick-off time were still ongoing, with broadcasters BBC and ITV at odds.The Beeb want the game to start in the traditional 3pm slot – ensuring that even if the match were to go to extra-time or penalties there will be no overlap issues with the Eurovision Song Contest broadcast due to start at 8pm.ITV are understood to be pushing for a 5.30pm kick-off to maximum viewer numbers and advertising demand.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMeanwhile, the FA has to square all decisions off with Police, local council safety chiefs and the transport authorities.Even so, there is a recognition that the lack of certainty is not the best look.And the lack of confirmation brought an angry response from City supporters, already fuming at ticket prices of up to £285.City sold 5,000 short of their allocation for the semi-final win over Nottingham Forest.Most read in FA CupBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBoss Pep Guardiola noted the amount his side’s supporters have had to fork out for Wembley trips over recent season.City YouTube channel presenter Steven McInerney, pointing to all Final category tickets having gone up by between £5 and £35, said on X: “The prices compared to last year are taking the p***.“It’s in two weeks, people have to organise travel and the kick off time hasn’t even been announced yet.“Shambles of an institution. Fans slapped in the face constantly.” More

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      Ange Postecoglou claims Europa League glory at Tottenham would be ‘on another planet’ to Ten Hag’s Man Utd FA Cup win

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU claims Europa League glory at Spurs would be ‘on another planet’ to Erik ten Hag’s FA Cup win.The under-fire Aussie boss can salvage their season by lifting the trophy in the Basque Country.Ange Postecoglou reckons winning the Europa League is ‘on another planet’ compared to the FA CupCredit: GettyBut he hit back at comparisons with Ten Hag — who kept his Manchester United job after winning the 2024 FA Cup.Postecoglou says it ‘diminishes’ how big an achievement it would be to win the competition, which earns Champions League qualification, unlike the FA Cup.SunSport columnist Troy Deeney and Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher reckon Spurs should sack Postecoglou EVEN if his team eventually win the final, which will be held in Bilbao.They highlighted United’s blunder in keeping Ten Hag after May’s Cup win… only to axe him five months later.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAhead of Thursday’s semi- final first leg against Bodo/Glimt, Postecoglou said: “I’ve sensed this is the way this club is perceived — people are always trying to diminish it.“I’ve heard people say, ‘Well, it’s the equivalent of United winning the FA Cup. No, it ain’t. Not on any planet is it the equivalent.”Tottenham — eyeing a first trophy since the 2008 League Cup — sit 16th in the Prem after 19 league defeats.But Postecoglou continued: “Others are suggesting that maybe we’re not worthy of the Champions League.Most read in FootballErik ten Hag was kept on as Man Utd boss after his FA Cup win last season, only to be sacked five months laterCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“Again, they are things that are designed to diminish what’s ahead of us, which is an unbelievable chance.“Irrespective of how this season’s gone, we have generations of fans who want this more than anything else.”’Turning gold into c–p’ – Ange Postecoglou kicks off again over criticism of Tottenham penalty farceBodo/Glimt twice beat Postecoglou’s Celtic in the 2022 Conference League.The Aussie, without injured skipper Son Heung-min, added: “Bodo are there on merit. “The away game is tricky — you’re playing on an artificial surface in difficult conditions.” More