The FA Cup semi-final clash between Manchester United and Coventry City this weekend has been moved because it is a “high risk” match.
The Red Devils will meet their Championship opponents at Wembley on Sunday, live on talkSPORT, for a place in next month’s final.
But despite the FA calling for a 4pm kick-off, the match is set to take place at the unique time of 3.30pm.
This followed discussions with the Metropolitan Police who requested the match start 30 minutes early due to public order concerns.
Such a change to the kick-off time would be a frustration for the FA and broadcasters including the BBC and ITV.
This is because kick-off times are later and attract larger television audiences and advertising revenue, meaning evening kick-offs are becoming increasingly important.
However, a change in Metropolitan Police policy over the past 12 months has changed this, with matches involving Man United or Liverpool now considered high risk.
This is something that has caused frustration among the FA and EFL.
They were also upset that February’s Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea had to be postponed until 3 p.m.
Last year’s FA Cup final between Man United and Man City was also scheduled to be played at 3 p.m.
And there is an increasing chance that this year’s FA Cup final will be played earlier too.
If that happened, ITV would face a dilemma, having already planned to broadcast the Investec Rugby Champions Cup final on the same day, with kick-off at 2.45pm.
The winner of United against Coventry will face the winners of Man City against Chelsea in this year’s final.
This is only the second time Coventry have reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, where they last won the tournament in 1987.
The Red Devils’ commitments in the competition have meanwhile wreaked havoc on their Premier League schedule.
Erik ten Hag’s side will host Sheffield United on Wednesday April 24 at 8 p.m., three days after the FA Cup semi-final.
The FA Cup semi-final clash between Manchester United and Coventry City this weekend has been moved because it is a “high risk” match.
The Red Devils will meet their Championship opponents at Wembley on Sunday, live on talkSPORT, for a place in next month’s final.
But despite the FA calling for a 4pm kick-off, the match is set to take place at the unique time of 3.30pm.
This followed discussions with the Metropolitan Police who requested the match start 30 minutes early due to public order concerns.
Such a change to the kick-off time would be a frustration for the FA and broadcasters including the BBC and ITV.
This is because kick-off times are later and attract larger television audiences and advertising revenue, meaning evening kick-offs are becoming increasingly important.
However, a change in Metropolitan Police policy over the past 12 months has changed this, with matches involving Man United or Liverpool now considered high risk.
This is something that has caused frustration among the FA and EFL.
They were also upset that February’s Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea had to be postponed until 3 p.m.
Last year’s FA Cup final between Man United and Man City was also scheduled to be played at 3 p.m.
And there is an increasing chance that this year’s FA Cup final will be played earlier too.
If that happened, ITV would face a dilemma, having already planned to broadcast the Investec Rugby Champions Cup final on the same day, with kick-off at 2.45pm.
The winner of United against Coventry will face the winners of Man City against Chelsea in this year’s final.
This is only the second time Coventry have reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, where they last won the tournament in 1987.
The Red Devils’ commitments in the competition have meanwhile wreaked havoc on their Premier League schedule.
Erik ten Hag’s side will host Sheffield United on Wednesday April 24 at 8 p.m., three days after the FA Cup semi-final.