FA Cup final kick-off 'a headache for ITV' due to Champions Cup rugby and Cannes Film Festival

The FA Cup Final kick-off time is potentially causing a headache for rights holders due to rugby’s Champions Cup final and, in a bizarre quirk, the Cannes Film Festival in France, according to a report.

With Manchester United and Manchester City favourites to reach the Wembley showpiece on May 25, having been drawn against Coventry City and Chelsea, respectively, in the semi-finals, the competition is likely to be set for a repeat of last season’s all-Manchester affair.

Last year’s Manchester derby was the first ever in the final of the competition and subsequently moved to a 3pm kick-off, with the Metropolitan Police concerned over a 5.30pm start for a “high-risk” fixture and also to ease transport pressures for the largely northern-based fanbase returning home late into the evening.

Should the same concerns be raised this season, it would pose a problem for FA Cup rights holders ITV, who are committed to broadcasting the European rugby final, which is on the same day and kicks off at 2.45pm at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, less than 12 miles away.

(Action Images via Reuters)

The Times report that police do not have concerns over rugby and football fans mixing in the capital on the same day but add that the European Rugby Cup Ltd “has no flexibility around the kick-off time for the Champions Cup”, causing a possible significant headache for ITV.

The 2.45pm kick-off time of the European rugby finale has been chosen with a French audience in mind given the nation’s success in the tournament.

All but one of the last 11 finals have featured at least one French team and La Rochelle, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lyon, Bayonne and Racing 92 have all qualified for the last-16 stage, which begins in April.

(Getty Images)

The final of France’s FA Cup – the Coupe de France – is also on May 25. A kick-off time is yet to be confirmed but is traditionally in the evening so would avoid clashing with the Champions Cup.

Also a consideration, on a busy day in France, is the Cannes Film Festival, which concludes on the same day with an evening awards ceremony, in which the winner of the prestigious Palm d’Or will be announced.

Yet another twist could see Coventry City reach the Championship play-off final and shock United to reach the FA Cup Final. The Championship promotion decider is currently set to take place the following day on Sunday, May 26, so would then need to move.

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