Source: REUTERS/David Klein
[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, the FA Cup final broadcaster BBC hopes to advance the match time to avoid conflicts with the Eurovision Song Contest. This season’s FA Cup final will see Manchester City face Crystal Palace, and the match is scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium on May 17th in London. BBC hopes the final will start at 15:00 local time, rather than at 17:15 as was the case for the semi-finals. This is because the 69th Eurovision Song Contest finals will be held at 20:00 on the same day. If the FA Cup final begins at 17:15, and if it goes into extra time or penalty shootouts, it could conflict with the Eurovision finals. This might impact the viewing rate. The Eurovision Song Contest enjoys a high viewership in the UK, with last year’s finals attracting over 8 million viewers. This year’s finals will feature 26 performers, and viewership is expected to break records again. It is understood that the FA will consult with relevant local authorities and police to determine the exact timing for the FA Cup final.