Thousands of fans face the prospect of being stranded at next month’s FA Cup quarter-final between Arsenal and Manchester United at Old Trafford after the tie was scheduled by the BBC for 9 March – a Monday evening when the last train back to London leaves at 9.15pm.
FA rules state that the away club can claim up to 15% of the opponent’s stadium capacity – equating to around 11,250 seats for Arsenal. And, with United also having a sizeable contingent of followers who are based in the south-east, more than 10,000 fans face having to drive, or to take time off work and pay for a hotel overnight before returning home on high-cost, early morning trains.
One United fan, based in London, said: “The only option seems to be a peak [time] train the following morning which may exceed £100 for a single, plus accommodation which is sure to soar. It is doable for me, but it means two days off work.”
Arsenal said in a statement: “The club is exploring a number of options to help our travelling supporters get back to London afterwards. No return trains are currently timetabled and we will let supporters know the proposed travel plans as soon as possible.”
The BBC opted to show the United quarter-final and the game between Aston Villa and West Brom – a 5.30pm kick-off on Saturday 7 March. BT, meanwhile, will show Bradford v Reading at 12.45pm on 7 March, free to non-subscribers, and Liverpool versus Blackburn at 4pm on Sunday.
