The FA is considering changing the rules as part of the annual FA Youth Cup event following a clash over the venue of a recent final between two Manchester clubs.
Man City beat Man United in the Youth Cup final, but the choice of venue became a hot topic (Image: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
The FA is considering changing rules for stadiums hosting the FA Youth Cup final following corruption scandals ahead of Manchester City’s win over Manchester United.
The two teams met in the final, with the side from the blue half of the city winning 2-1, but the highlight event took place at City’s 6,447-capacity women’s ground, just across the road from their home base at the Etihad Stadium.
Under current rules, the first team drawn would host the featured match and City had the right to choose their stadium, but United had offered to host the match at Old Trafford so their future stars could play in front of a sold-out crowd at an iconic venue.
The offer was rejected, prompting a backlash from those in the red. The club’s academy staff were less than impressed, and members of the Manchester United Supporters Trust and the club’s fan forum subsequently called on the FA to intervene, calling the decision a “disgrace”.
The Daily Mail understands that the FA are currently considering the situation and considering rule changes as part of their annual competition review, which could mean such controversial issues do not arise again in the future.
read more: Former Premier League star’s son scores in net as Man City beat Man United in FA Youth Cup finalread more: Darren Fletcher talks Man City and the FA about what Manchester United players ‘had to deal with’
One solution, should the authorities choose to make a change, would be to stipulate that organizers who choose not to stage the final at their own ‘main’ stadium will be moved to their opponents’ home ground.
After City’s victory, United manager Darren Fletcher heavily criticized the FA’s handling of the situation and the way their rivals were building on their success. “I’m disappointed in the FA for everything that happened in this game, the location and everything,” he said.
Darren Fletcher didn’t hesitate to share his opinion after the final
“You have to respect your opponents. But not when Man City win the FA Youth Cup. It’s an FA competition and that should never happen. I’ve never heard individual coaches yelled at, individual players yelled at. That doesn’t happen in a cup final.”
“This is an FA competition and it felt like a Man City competition in terms of the whole build-up to the game and how we had to deal with it at the end. That’s my only complaint tonight. But the best team won. Kudos to them.”
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