Can The Football Association Do ANYTHING Right?

Last updated : 17 April 2012 By Footy Mad - Editor

uk

Under fire from Alan Shearer for throwing England's Euro 2012 chances into a shambles, the Football Association are on the back foot once again ... this time from Liverpool fans.

Wembley's May 5 encounter between the Reds and Chelsea will start at 5.15pm but with maintenance work on the rail network over the May Day bank holiday weekend, many supporters may face the prospect of not being able to get back home after the game.

Engineering work, planned up to 18 months in advance, by Network Rail over the bank holiday weekend means Virgin Trains have cancelled all but three of their Liverpool to London services on the day of the final.

An FA spokesman admitted television coverage plays a significant part.

FA spokesman: "We stated on record at the end of last season's final that we were looking at a later kick-off time after an FA review of the competition with fans and broadcasters.

"Research showed that 5.15pm was more appealing than 3pm.

"5.15pm obviously gives people a chance to attend or play in a game earlier that day before watching the final on TV.

"The later time also maximises a bigger domestic and global TV audience for broadcasters."

A spokesman for the Merseyside branch of the Liverpool FC Official Supporters Club: "The FA running the game in this country is an absolute joke.

"Once again the FA Cup has been totally and utterly devalued.

"It should have kicked off at 3pm. The last people who are thought of by the FA are the fans. Football fans don't matter to anyone.

"We are seen as a money-making machine who will do anything to follow their clubs.

"And the fact Chelsea fans can spend all day drinking in London as they don't have any travel problems means there is then the potential for trouble."

 VOTE IN OUR POLL:

Personally, if Newcastle United were in the FA Cup final I'd hate to see it played late in the afternoon.

Looking back at our finals against Arsenal and Man Utd we were "half cut" for the 3pm kick-off - so God only knows what half the Toon fans would be like with a 5.30pm kick-off.

VOTE:

http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/interactive/voting_polls.asp

WOULD YOU RATHER SEE THE FA CUP FINAL PLAYED AT 3PM OR 5.30PM?