Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp: FA Cup final a scandal
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has called the FA (Football Association) Cup final a scandal, as there will be Premier League games played on the same day as the final. Redknapp believes that the final should be considered a big occasion and be played exclusively
on a weekend rather than having other league games being played at the same time.
"As if the FA Cup has not had enough of a kicking in recent years. It is nothing but a scandal that Premier League games are being played on Saturday - the same day as the final this season," expressed Redknapp.
The Spurs boss believes that the FA Cup final is something that has a lot of history, and one should not forget that FA Cup is the oldest football competition in the club game’s history. He added that it is a showpiece event that not only matters a lot to
the fans but also to the whole country.
The former Southampton boss believes that with Premier League games being played on the same day, only Stoke City and Manchester City fans will be looking forward to the FA Cup final, and not the whole country. According to Redknapp, that it is a sorry state
of affairs.
The Spurs boss said that there is a distinct possibility that Manchester United may win the title just minutes before the final even kicks off. That is a big turn off for Manchester City fans in particular, who have lived for decades in the shadows of their
more accomplished neighbours. He added that it would be a clear case of Manchester United stealing the show (if both of them win their respective titles the same day), which is unfair to Manchester City, to say the least.
Redknapp went on to say that if that reason was not enough to prove this was a disastrous decision, there are also some crunch relegation battles taking place the same day.
The big reason behind pushing the FA Cup final a week earlier is that on 28th of May, Manchester United and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 will battle it out at Wembley, for the final of UEFA Champions League. And in preparation for that, the Stadium will have to
be closed for two weeks and made ready in time for the big European final.
But Redknapp didn't seem to be convinced and said, "Yes, I know the Champions League final is at Wembley on May 28,I am told UEFA demands a 'clean' stadium for the fortnight before the big event, That means an empty Wembley for two weeks."
Harry Redknapp is one of the most respected managers in the English game, and his words are not at all out of context when he speaks about protecting the heritage of English football and keeping the traditions alive. But such are the demands of the modern
game, since UEFA Champions League is a much bigger competition, the FA Cup has to suffer.
How much effect his words will have on the FA and UEFA remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, Manchester City and Stoke City won't let any issue distract them before the final. Their whole world will exist within the touchlines of Wembley when the
final kicks off this weekend.
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