FA Cup final: late kick-off confirmed

Paul Scharner of Wigan Athletic (L) celebrates with goalscorer team mate Callum McManaman (C) after he scores his team’s second goal during the FA Cup with Budweiser Semi Final match between Millwall and Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium

Despite the horrible crowd violence in last Saturday’s semi-final between Millwall and Wigan, the Football Association have confirmed that the FA Cup Final scheduled on Saturday May 11th between Manchester City and Wigan will kick-off at 5.15pm BST.

Alex Horne, the FA’s general secretary had last week defended the late-afternoon kick-off times.

“We’re now used to consuming our football in those time slots,” he said. “It really works. Lunchtime kick-offs just haven’t got the same appeal. The 5.15pm kick-off for the final was really successful. We added a couple of million viewers. It’s a sensible compromise.”

This will be the second time that the FA Cup final will be played on an evening after Chelsea‘s won 2-1 over Liverpool last year.

Source: Guardian