A live telecast generates higher revenue than live spectators, this is known to everyone, but this is probably the first time when FA has rescheduled a final match just to facilitate its broadcasters rather caring about thousands of fans who want to return home on the same day. FA cup final is scheduled to play between first timer Wigan and Manchester City and this match is expected to be full of entertainment coz of Wigan, who is in fine form, and City, who is also looking to win its second trophy in last three seasons. As confirmed by FA, this year’s FA cup final will be kicked off on 5.15pm leaving no room for fans to return back if match goes into the extra time. This is the second consecutive year when something like this is happening, last year too many Liverpool fans failed to catch a train to return back and this year also most of the fans are concerned over their one day extra stay at Wembley. It is even difficult for Wigan fans coz they can’t catch the last train even if match ends in its scheduled time period. Supporters of both sides are criticizing FA decision to overpass its tradition 3pm time; perhaps Wigan Athletic Supporters Club even blamed the governing body to prefer money over fans. Its spokesman Jason Taylor said,
“It seems the FA are more interested in what the television companies want than the logistics of supporters getting to and from their final. It’s not just us, it affects Manchester City as well. They are only 18 miles away and we will be using the same roads and, if it was possible, train lines. It was a nightmare for the semi-final.
“We expected a late kick off but the ridiculous thing is the final won’t clash with the Premier League programme, which was the original reason for having a late start, as they have already moved those games to the Sunday. But the TV companies want a late time to attract a bigger global audience and that is taking precedence over supporters. We won’t have a problem selling our ticket allocation for the final but the day is a lot more difficult for supporters than it needs to be and the FA should consider that. With a 3pm kick off you would have plenty of time to catch the train even if the final went to extra time and penalties.”
So, it would be interesting to see how railway department manages to transport a huge number of nomad fans without hiking the fair.