Carabao Cup final kick-off time could be moved amid police concerns over Chelsea and Liverpool fan clashes
THE Carabao Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool could be brought forward amid police concerns about fans clashing.
The Met Police have categorised the Wembley showpiece on Sunday, February 25 as “high risk” and want the kick-off switched from 4.30pm to no later than 3pm.
GettyFans might need to arrive at Wembley earlier than originally planned for the final[/caption]
ReutersJurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will take on Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea[/caption]
The Met confirmed to SunSport they are pressing for the change.
A Met spokesperson said: “Preparations for the EFL Cup policing operation are underway following the conclusion of the two semi-finals and we are working with partners including the Wembley Stadium, local authority and EFL on agreeing the kick off time
“Our partners are aware this match qualifies as a ‘high-risk’ fixture and in accordance with national guidance from the UK Football Policing Unit, this fixture should kick off no later than 3pm.”
Chelsea and Liverpool met in in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals in 2022 without serious trouble – when the start times were 4:30pm and 4:45pm respectively.
It’s claimed the EFL have been hoping to stick with a 4.30pm kick-off next month due to their contract with Sky Sports.
But following talks between league chiefs and police there could be a compromise – with a 3pm start possible, rather than even earlier.
More negotiations are expected to take place over the next week
The kick-off for last year’s FA Cup final was moved.
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That clash between Manchester rivals United and City on June 23 was shifted forward from 5.30pm to 3pm.
Police were concerned the original later kick-off time would lead to some fans drinking excessively, with fears that might turn to violence.
Premier League leaders Liverpool squeezed into the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday as a 1-1 draw at Fulham gave them a 3-2 triumph on aggregate in the last four.
In contrast, Mauricio Pochettino‘s Chelsea blitzed through, overturning a 1-0 first-leg loss at Middlesbrough with a 6-1 win at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
