The Football Association (FA) has made a last-minute adjustment to the kick-off time for this year’s Community Shield match between Manchester City and Arsenal. The game, originally scheduled for 5:30 pm, will now begin at 4 pm in an effort to prevent a potential boycott by disgruntled fans.
Upon hearing the initial kick-off time, both Manchester City and Arsenal supporters expressed their anger and disappointment. Recognizing the importance of fan satisfaction, the Football Supporters Association (FSA) voiced their concerns to the FA, emphasizing the potential for numerous empty seats in the stadium if the issue was not addressed.
The FA, taking these concerns seriously, released a statement explaining the change of timing:
“The 2023 FA Community Shield between Manchester City and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium will now kick off at 16:00 BST on Sunday 6 August. The new earlier kickoff time for the traditional ‘curtain raiser’ of the domestic season has been agreed following consultation with our broadcast partners, the local authorities, police, and the competing clubs.
The decision to move the kick-off time was taken following full consideration of the transport challenges for fans returning to Manchester after the match. Ticketing details for the 2023 FA Community Shield will be announced at the earliest opportunity.”
With these changes, the FA hopes to alleviate the potential transport difficulties faced by supporters, particularly those returning to Manchester. By working in collaboration with various stakeholders, including broadcast partners, local authorities, police, and the participating clubs, the FA aims to ensure a more enjoyable and seamless experience for all fans.
