Arsenal fans left furious as Man Utd handed huge advantage for FA Cup showdown
Arsenal fans left furious as Man Utd handed huge advantage for FA Cup showdown
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Manchester United fans will get prime seats for their FA Cup blockbuster with Arsenal. Football Association rules state that away clubs must be allocated up to 15 per cent of the ground capacity which is why there is often a better atmosphere in big cup ties. But the Safety Advisory Group have insisted the upper tier at the Emirates cannot be used for the away supporters amid safety concerns for Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie.
That means United will have the whole of the lower tier of the away end PLUS a section of one of the sides of the stadium. It has led to huge numbers of Arsenal season ticket holders having to be relocated which is standard practice in FA Cup games. But it will be highly noticeable in a blockbuster live TV game that United fans have taken up a huge section of the lower tier of the ground. It could give them an edge as they will be closer to the pitch and be able to create more noise.
Top level talks have been held between the SAG and both clubs over the issue and around 8,000 tickets have been allocated to United. It has gone down badly with some Arsenal fans being displaced as they want to be in their usual seats. But several have also voiced concerns that United are now in the best seats to create an atmosphere. It is highly unusual for the away team not to be able to use the upper tier which would mean it was not such an issue.
