Premier League break FA Cup final fixture promise

 The Premier League has been forced to break a Football Association pledge to stop any top-tier matches being played on the eve of the men’s FA Cup final.

A fixture dilemma led to Manchester United verus Chelsea being moved to a Friday night as the clubs then meet again in the women’s FA Cup final that Sunday.

The men’s final on May 17 kicks off the day after the Old Trafford clash despite the FA saying ahead of the current season that the game would get adequate breathing space.

“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,” a statement from the FA outlined last summer.

In a statement announcing kick-off time changes for the penultimate round of the season, the league apologised for failing to give fans more notice. The other most significant change is that Everton’s final match at Goodison Park – against Southampton – will kick off on the Sunday at noon.

Some Everton fans criticised the timing on social media but the club is understood to be supportive of the decision, which ensures the match will get live coverage on TNT Sports.

Commemorations after the match ahead of the team’s stadium move this summer will also be screened on TNT as a result of the earlier scheduling.

West Ham United versus Nottingham Forest has been brought forward to 2.15pm on May 18, subject to FA Cup semi-final results. Aston Villa versus Tottenham Hotspur will take place at 2.15pm or 7pm, also dependent on FA Cup outcomes. Arsenal versus Newcastle United is now a 4.30pm kick off for Sky Sports coverage.

“The Premier League would like to apologise to supporters for the delay in announcing this set of fixtures,” the competition said as the new schedule was confirmed. “Finalising Match Round 37 was met with a number of scheduling issues, particularly around our Clubs’ participation in other competitions.”

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