Premiership rivals in showdown row
Last updated : 16 April 2002 By Daily Telegraph
MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal are involved in a disagreement over the date of their Premiership showdown at Old Trafford next month.
United want the game brought forward 24 hours from May 8 to May 7 because it would help their preparation for the Champions League final on May 15 should Sir Alex Ferguson's team beat Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-finals.
Arsenal have objected, preferring the match to be played on the original date. And, as the championship chase reaches a thrilling climax, Liverpool have asked for their match against Blackburn to be switched from May 5 to the same date as the United-Arsenal clash so their title rivals do not have an unfair advantage by knowing the Merseysiders' result.
By bringing the game against Arsenal forward it would mean United playing three games in nine days - (May 7 Arsenal, May 12 Charlton, May 15 Champions League final) - rather than three matches in eight days.
While appreciating and sympathising with United's reasons, Arsenal are against the switch because they play Chelsea in the FA Cup final on May 4. The Gunners would prefer a further 24 hours to recover from the final, which could go to extra time, and prepare for what could be a Premiership decider.
United have a free weekend when the FA Cup final is played in Cardiff so would be fresher for the visit of Arsenal. The Premier League have asked United and Arsenal for their observations and if the clubs cannot reach an agreement, the League's board will make a ruling.
Liverpool feel it is best for the integrity of the Premiership if they play Blackburn at the same time as the Old Trafford match. The League are likely to make decisions on both fixtures before the second leg of United's Champions League semi-final against Leverkusen on April 30.
For planning, policing and television purposes they cannot leave it that late - the Old Trafford game will almost certainly be on Sky Sports but not as pay-per-view.
