FA Cup Semifinals Draw

[Sheva. 5,373]

Yes KO at 6pm, some journo said that during RDM's presser.

[Laylabelle 9,353]

How bloody stupid! Both times are crazy..Liverpools and Everton due to the travel and 6?! Who the hell kicks off at six?Whats wrong with 3:00...guess thats to normal..

[Jase 43,479]

How bloody stupid! Both times are crazy..Liverpools and Everton due to the travel and 6?! Who the hell kicks off at six?Whats wrong with 3:00...guess thats to normal..

Ask those FA money grabbers!!

[TomCFC 356]

Clashes with the PL, that's why.

[Laylabelle 9,353]

But Liverpool Everton clashes with a league game on the Saturday.And on the Sunday the only PL game is Man U vs Vill at 4.So surley that could've been changed to a 1:30 or ours changed to a 1:30 or clash anyway considering Sky dont have rights No policing would be effected

And then they wonder why the FA Cup isnt seen as as speical as it was.....

Just seems crazy even more so if we do get to the semi's...ask for a date changed..not given so lets made it even more annoying and give a daft kick off tim

[Liquidator 5,176]

Who the hell kicks off at six?

Us in the Europa League next season

[middleoftheshed 388]

Can't believe a league fixture is considered more important than a semi final. Bet the police are delighted too, all day drinking.

[Billy. 2,742]

Chelsea’s hopes of silverware this season are in danger of being sunk by the Titanic.

The Blues have been caught in the middle of a TV ratings war, which has forced Roberto Di Matteo’s side to play their two biggest games of the season within 72 hours of each other.

Chelsea are “angry” at being told to play Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday April 15 at 6pm – and then face a potential Champions League showdown with mighty Barcelona on Wednesday, April 18.

Chelsea’s original request for the FA to switch the game to Friday was rejected.

Instead ITV plan to screen the tie in a prime-time slot to capture viewers they hope will stay tuned for the final part of their blockbuster mini-series Titanic.

Mirror Sport can reveal that ITV actually wanted to broadcast the Liverpool v Everton semi-final, but dropped the idea when it became clear that game had to be played in the lunchtime slot on Saturday, which is not good for ratings.

Liverpool have made it clear since reaching the semi-final that they would only play on the Saturday, because the following day is the anniversary of the ­Hillsborough disaster.

Potential train problems for fans returning to ­Merseyside and a clash with the Grand National – ­ironically taking place in Liverpool – meant the Saturday game needed an early kick-off.

Chelsea interim manager Di Matteo said: “We are ­disappointed and angry.

“ITV have their reasons and I don’t want to go into details. Ultimately, we have to respect them.

“But look at the other federations in Europe. They give you the best possible preparation. This year we’re looking at just one club left in the quarter-finals of any European competition. It doesn’t reflect well on England, the Premier League or the FA.

“It’s in everybody’s interest for clubs to get further in the competition – the Premier League and the clubs, for UEFA coefficient points to make sure we have four teams in the Champions League in the future.

“It does make a big ­difference, absolutely, that extra 24 hours.”

Di Matteo’s frustration was understandable and there may be internal discussions over how much co-operation Chelsea choose to give ITV, who would also broadcast the club’s possible ­Champions League semi-final.

Fans travelling down to London from Merseyside face either dawn starts or expensive overnight stays ahead of the Everton v ­Liverpool match, which kicks off at 12.30pm on April 14 and will be shown on ESPN.

Toffees boss David Moyes said: “I’ve never been a great fan of FA Cup semi-finals being at Wembley

“Semi-finals would be great at neutral grounds. That’s what the history of the FA Cup has been about – semi-finals at venues like Maine Road and so on.

“If you ask the TV people, they’d have probably wanted it starting at half five. Maybe the police have wanted an early kick-off. But it makes travelling arrangements harder for a lot of people.”

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Chelsea-FA-Cup-and-Champions-League-hopes-in-danger-from-TV-ratings-war-article884846.html

[Strike 7,217]

How bloody stupid! Both times are crazy..Liverpools and Everton due to the travel and 6?! Who the hell kicks off at six?Whats wrong with 3:00...guess thats to normal..

ITV don't want the semifinal game to clash with Manchester United v Aston Villa which is at 4pm on Sky Sports.Pretty messed up really. We asked for a Friday night game but we dint even get the match advanced to an afternoon slot....

[GodZola 630]

We ask for a Friday evening fixture, instead we get a Sunday & at the latest time available - what a bunch of fucking arseholes! They have no thought of English clubs or the supporters going to these games, seen more common sense in politicians this week with the fuel strike & that takes some doing!!!

[Spike 12,049]

Once again we are being repressed by the man. This wouldn't happen to Manchestah Yernited.

[francozola 2,040]

Utterly ridiculous.

Fuck the FA. We should go on and win both the CL and the cup just out of spite

[Laylabelle 9,353]

ITV don't want the semifinal game to clash with Manchester United v Aston Villa which is at 4pm on Sky Sports.Pretty messed up really. We asked for a Friday night game but we dint even get the match advanced to an afternoon slot....

Thats the thing if they wanted to avoid a clash...make it a 1:30 kick off or even 12:45.Its stupid we ask for a decent time and different date and instead end up with a daft kick off time.But guess thinking about the money and all...Bit daft for Liverpool and Everton as well/

Really screwed up and they'd be even more screwed up if we were playing an English team who had also along with us got through to the CL Semi...Mean we're not there yet which think why Matteo's been a bit more hmm about it but if we do get through...its daft.

[MagicManMata 24]

Honestly not bothered at all by the FA cup. Would rather focus on the league and CL atm.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Now we're through to the Semi's of the CL, the FA have to move this game to friday.

[Jype 6,398]

Now we're through to the Semi's of the CL, the FA have to move this game to friday.

If it were United or Liverpool I'm sure they would but we all know that's not going to happen for Chelsea and 6pm on Sunday it is.

[Laylabelle 9,353]

End of the day its about making money.They're more likely to get more dosh having the game on a Sunday then they would on a Friday.Telly talks as well

But 6?!?! Thats the part I dont get..why make it so late? 1'Oclock been fine!