EXCLUSIVE: Television blackout once again lifted for FA Cup semi-finals as police deny the FA 5.30 kick-off time for the first clash of the weekend at Wembley between Manchester City and Sheffield United
- Manchester City’s clash with Sheffield United to kick-off at 4:45 on the Saturday
- The FA had hoped they would be allowed to have the fixture start at 5:30
- Police advice means the clash will kick-off at 4:45 – contravening the blackout
The FA has been forced to lift their Saturday television blackout for the FA Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Sheffield United because of police advice.
City’s game against the Championship side at Wembley on April 22 will kick-off at 4:45pm, which clashes with the 2.45pm-5.15pm blackout period. It will be shown on ITV1.
The FA are thought to have wanted a 5.30pm start, as has often been the case for Saturday semi-finals, but were told by police that the game could kick-off no later than 4:45pm on safety grounds.
It means the police and local safety advisory group have effectively made the FA breach the blackout rules, which have been in place since the 1960s and is largely designed to protect attendances in the lower leagues.
Under the regulations, Premier League, FA Cup and Football League matches cannot be shown on TV between 2:45 and 5:15pm when ’50 per cent or more’ of the ‘main domestic fixture schedule’ – defined as ‘the top or top two domestic leagues’ – is being played.
The FA have been forced to once again lift the television blackout for this year’s
On that Saturday, there are five Premier League games as well as a near-full programme of Championship fixtures.
Last year’s Saturday FA Cup semi-final, when Liverpool beat Manchester City 3-2, kicked off at 3:30pm.
But the FA lifted the blackout for the match but this was because there were only three Premier League games on that day – which did not meet the threshold – and none in the Championship.
A spokesperson for the FA said: ‘The kick-off times for our fixtures are scheduled in collaboration with the clubs, local authorities, police, and broadcasters. We were informed by the police and local safety advisory group that 16:45 was the latest time possible for this tie.’
The blackout has been lifted before, including to allow Premier League matches to be shown on TV during the Covid pandemic.
The EFL are also willing to end it from the 2024-25 season as part of their new TV rights deal.
This season’s semi-final between Brighton and Manchester United has been confirmed for Sunday, April 23, with kick-off at 4:30, live on BBC One.
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