The 2023 FA Community Shield involving Manchester City and Arsenal at Wembley will now commence by 16:00 BST following complaints from fans about “inconvenient scheduling”.
Manchester City will trade tackles with Arsenal for the traditional curtain raiser of the domestic season on the 6th of August 2023.
The encounter was initially scheduled to begin by 17:30 BST, however supporters were not happy with that timing.
The new kick-off time has been agreed upon after formal discussions with broadcasting partners, local authorities, police, and the two clubs.
Fans complaints led to the FA Shifting Community Shield Kick-off forward
It was revealed by The FA that the decision to move the kick-off forward was made after taking into cognizance “transport challenges” for supporters heading back to Manchester after the game.
The Football Supporters Association (FSA) warned the FA there would be empty seats at Wembley if the clash wasn’t brought forward.
Before the eventuality of the new kick-off time, a spokesperson for the FSA expressed his thoughts over the matter.
The spokesperson said: “What used to be an early to mid-afternoon game is now being held on a Sunday evening at the behest of the FA’s broadcasters.”
He also stated that Manchester City fans were understandably angry by the timing, with some requesting for their fellow supporters to boycott the game.
The Spokesperson stated: “Manchester City supporters are understandably upset, with some calling for boycotts, at this inconvenient scheduling of the Community Shield which will leave many facing difficult decisions about transport and time-off.”
Additionally, the FSA spokesperson said the move by the FA to put the interest of broadcasters above “match-going fans” would lead to empty seats at Wembley.
He said: “This decision to put the needs of broadcasters ahead of match-going fans will undoubtedly lead to empty seats and sour what should be an otherwise exciting curtain-raiser for the new season.”
If one team wins both the FA Cup and Premier League which team becomes their opposition in the Community Shield?
Due to Manchester City winning the 2022/23 Premier League and FA Cup trophy, their opposition would be Arsenal who finished 2nd place last season.
In the eventuality of one team winning the Premier League and FA Cup, the mantle to play in the Community Shield falls on the second place team in the league.
In like manner, the Citizens won the English Premier League and FA Cup, with Arsenal finishing second last term in the league.
Liverpool comprehensively defeated Manchester City 3-1 in the previous Community Shield, which took place at the King Power Stadium in Leicester.
The traditional game which ushers teams into the new season wasn’t played at its customary venue Wembley because the iconic ground was hosting the final of the 2022 Women’s European Championship.
The previous Community Shield showdown was headlined by the then created competitive rivalry of Darwin Nunez and Erling Haaland.
However, it is evident that one has definitely hit the ground running in England and achieved tremendous strides with his club than the other.
The new kick-off time for the Community Shield encounter involving Manchester City and Arsenal, seems to have pleased City supporters.
A spokesperson of Manchester City said: “Having contacted the FA to express our reservations and clarify why the kick-off time of 17.30 BST on a Sunday was originally chosen, we are pleased that the decision to bring forward kick-off has now been made.”
The spokesperson however expressed that in spite of the change in the kick-off for the game, it will not fully solve “travel issues” for Manchester City fans.
Meanwhile, the FA also revealed that “ticketing details for the 2023 FA Community Shield will be announced” very soon.
