Football scheduling hits new low

[Red Member]

first up I hate Chelsea, really really hate them almost as much as I hate Spurs

but does anyone else feel they have been hard done by for having to play their FA Cup semi final just 2 days before probably playing Barcelona in the Champions League. I really think this is the most ridiculous decision I have ever known regarding the scheduing of matches. If it had happened to us we would be rightly furious - and worryingly now that this precedent has been set could well happen to us in the future.

I sympathise with Liverpool and why they cant play on Sunday 15th but really that has nothing to do with it.
of course the logical decision would be to play both games on the Saturday but the FA of course have got themselves into a mess by insisting that both semis are played at Wembley. it is quite frankly incredible that half of Liverpool will have to travel to London on Grand National Day! but there you go.

Apparently there has been a request to play the match on Friday night but that has been turned down.

maybe the answer is to get UEFA to change the Barcelona match but of course TV rules and that would never happen = total madness

[Bradywasking]

Liverpool v Everton should be played at Old Trafford. I understand Liverpool not wanting to play on April 15th , but what happens if they are in Europe and a game is set for April 15th?
The Chelsea situation is mad , they may end up playing a weakend team in the FA Cup as a result. Then the cliche media can have a field day with the "demise of the greatest cup competition "

[SteveO 35]

Lets enjoy it for once - Chelsea have got to come to our place during that run of cup games - so lets hope it works in our favour. It will never change and the situation will come around when we are on the wrong end of it again.

Hard to feel sympathy with a team with one of the most expensively assembled squads in Europe - they should be able to cope better than virtually anyone else

[jamjc64]

I have no sympathy for them what so ever. they will play on the Wednesday eve (18th ) in Champions league. They knew the rules when entering all the competitions at the start of the season. They had the chance to improve / increase the squad during two previous transfer windows. Surely they have the money to invest ??

So lets hope for extra time at Wembley. Barcelona ? to give them a good workout midweek. Then we can finish them off with a nice 12:45 ko on the Saturday. Then sit back and enjoy them in the Europa cup next year

[Red Member]

jamjc

no Chelsea have to play on the Tuesday night after the Sunday - that is the whole point of why there is a problem.

ok yes it is funny that it is Chelsea but this could have happened to any team - and the fact is that it is stupid.

there is also a not so funny side to this - TOTTENHAM could well make the cup final because of this

[REB]

the PL are no help to teams playing in europe and many a time arsenal have come back after a long trip to then play away up north so not going to change is it.

[franksav63]

Tough shit.

[Macca]

If Chelski get through they play at home on Wednesday 18th April in the semi final and the away leg on Tuesday the 24th April.
So they'll have plenty of time to recover from beating Spurs on Sunday 15th April
Says so on: http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague ... index.html

[RoscommonGooner]

On the plus side, anyone going to the Grand National can do so safe in the knowledge that 1000's of scousers won't be there.

Oh, and chelski can go do themselves

[flash gunner]

Lets enjoy it for once - Chelsea have got to come to our place during that run of cup games - so lets hope it works in our favour. It will never change and the situation will come around when we are on the wrong end of it again.

Hard to feel sympathy with a team with one of the most expensively assembled squads in Europe - they should be able to cope better than virtually anyone else

[Red Member]

If Chelski get through they play at home on Wednesday 18th April in the semi final and the away leg on Tuesday the 24th April.
So they'll have plenty of time to recover from beating Spurs on Sunday 15th April
Says so on: http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague ... index.html

Ok sorry didnt realise that. I was under the impression that they had to play on the Tuesday.

oh well in that case I have no sympathy at all then.
I shall now look forward to them getting worn out against Barcelona on the Wednseday night and then for us to stuff them on the Saturday lunchtime

then for good measure Barcelona can totally destroy them the following Tuesday

[Red Member]

so Chelsea have to play 6pm Sunday v Spurs
7.45pm Wednesday v Barcelona
12.45pm Saturday v Arsenal

nice easy 5.5 days for them


and THEN they are at the Nou Camp the following Tuesday night

[SteveO 35]

so Chelsea have to play 6pm Sunday v Spurs
7.45pm Wednesday v Barcelona
12.45pm Saturday v Arsenal

nice easy 5.5 days for them

do we know yet if that Barca game is home or away.......a nice trip hope from Spain with their tails between their legs would be just the preparation needed before Saturday lunchtime

[arseofacrow]

diaby's a usel....oe, erm, theyd be at home before they play us mate

[Eboue-Why?]

Talking of scheduling, the decision to put the Chavs/Scum semi on at 6pm on a Sunday is just magnificent. The Met must be bleedin' bonkers to have agreed to this. A whole day for both sets to oil themselves up nicely before gathering in NW London? If ever a match was destined for Danny Dyer to stand outside and declare it Pwoper Nortie then this is it. Carnage