Manchester City’s FA Cup Final could be affected by Eurovision song contest | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City squad could yet see their fixture list altered due to the Eurovision song contest, it has been revealed.

That concerns the club’s third successive FA Cup Final secured over the course of the weekend thanks to a strong performance and victory over Nottingham Forest with goals from Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol in a 0-2 win.

Sunday afternoon’s win means Manchester City will now have an additional fixture to add to their Premier League run-in next month as they return to Wembley to take on Crystal Palace prior to the end of the campaign.

However, with the final already pencilled in for a set date, there are now question marks emerging over the kick-off time for the meeting amid concerns over a clash of viewership given the Eurovision song contest.

That is according to a new report from MailSport, who reveal that the BBC are pushing for a 3PM kick-off in the FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City amid fears that its viewership will be affected due to a clash with the Eurovision song contest held in Basel.

The two Premier League clubs are scheduled to go head-to-head for the trophy at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 17 May, but the contest could clash with the grand final of Eurovision in Switzerland – which last year drew in 9.1 million viewers.

It is further pointed out that ITV also share the rights to the FA Cup final, but it is the BBC who own exclusive rights to the song contest and as such are pushing for an alteration which could suit Manchester City supporters using public transport to return North.

Despite the FA Cup Final usually being the traditional closing event to the English footballing calendar, Manchester City will still have a Premier League finale after their outing at Wembley Stadium and perhaps work to do in the race for Champions League football.

The following weekend will see Pep Guardiola and his players travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham in the Premier League, while the Premier League are due to rearrange the club’s home meeting with Bournemouth – postponed due to City’s place in the Final.