Chelsea's Premier League clash with Manchester United has been brought forward to the evening of Friday 16 May — just one day before the FA Cup final — despite earlier assurances from the FA that no top-flight fixtures would take place on the eve of the Wembley showpiece.
Originally slated for Sunday 18 May at 16.00 CEST, the Stamford Bridge encounter will now kick off at 21.00 CEST on Friday. The change has sparked controversy, as it contradicts the FA's previous commitment to keep the night before the FA Cup final free from domestic fixtures.
The decision was made following a joint request from both clubs, who were eager to avoid a scheduling clash with the Women's FA Cup final on Sunday, where Chelsea and Manchester United are also set to face off. The aim was to allow fans to attend or watch both matches without overlap.
All other Premier League matches that round had been scheduled for Sunday 18 May, in keeping with the FA's initial guidance. However, Brighton's match against Liverpool has also been shifted, taking place on Monday 19 May instead.
United's fixture congestion, potentially including a Europa League final appearance in Bilbao on Wednesday 21 May, limited the available options for rescheduling. As a result, the Friday night slot was seen as the only viable solution.
While the revised timing allows both the men's and women's sides of Chelsea and United to be showcased, it has raised eyebrows due to the FA's apparent reversal of its earlier position regarding fixture timing ahead of its flagship domestic final.