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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Charlotte Duncker

FA Cup third round games kick off times delayed for mental health campaign

All of the FA Cup third round games will kick off one minute later than usual as part of the mental health campaign Heads Up.

Manchester United and Manchester City will both enter the competition at the third round stage and will find out their opponents on Monday evening. And ahead of the draw it was announced there would a change to the kick off times.

The Football Association announced the one minute delay to every game is to encourage fans to 'take a minute' to think about looking after their mental health.

All 32 ties, excluding replays, will kick off one minute later than their traditionally scheduled broadcast and non-broadcast time slots and it is hoped the initiative will raise awareness of the importance of looking after mental health.

“Whilst delaying kick-off times by 60 seconds is a simple idea, it provides a powerful platform for us and our Heads Up charity partners to deliver a really important message on mental health," Mark Bullingham the FA's chief executive said.

"We know that men in particular can be reluctant to talk about the subject, so it is important that we use football as a vehicle to stress the importance of mental fitness.”

City are looking to retain the trophy while United will be hoping to better last year's run to the quarter-finals when they were knocked out by Wolves.

The draw takes place on Monday evening at 7pm and will be broadcast live on BBC Two.

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