Focue Provides the Latest and Most Up-to-Date News, What You Focus On is What You Get.
⎯ 《 Focue • Com 》
Manchester City fans group urges FA to change Community Shield kick-off to 3pm
Manchester City fans group urges FA to change Community Shield kick-off to 3pm
A Manchester City fans group has accused the Football Association of “doing the bare minimum” in amending the Community Shield kick-off time and called for a further change. The 1894 group urged supporters to boycott the treble winners’ season-opener against Arsenal at Wembley on August 6 after it was originally scheduled for 5.30pm on Sunday, August 6. After this and other complaints, the FA, in conjunction with broadcaster ITV, moved the game to 4pm. This has not gone far enough for some fans and, while they are no longer expecting a “full boycott”, 1894 still feels the kick-off should be brought forward again by another hour. A statement from the group, issued via the Football Supporters’ Association, read: “We repeat our request to the FA and to ITV to help more fans attend the game by bringing the kick-off time to 3pm. “In the eyes of many fans, the very quick decision to move the game from 5.30pm to 4pm and hastily-arranged PR releases from the FA came across as them doing the bare minimum and expecting a round of applause for the decision. “The subsequent statement from the FA said 4pm was agreed after consultation with the police, the local council and the broadcaster (ITV). However, the most important stakeholder was not consulted… the fans!” Travel arrangements for Wembley fixtures have been a recurring source of frustration for north west teams in recent seasons. Late kick-offs leave supporters travelling by rail limited time to get back to stations before the final trains north and there are general concerns about arriving home late at night and the high costs involved. These issues have been exacerbated for some high-profile fixtures by rail strikes and engineering works. The 1894 statement added: “We feel 3pm is a fair request to the authorities to allow more people to travel back at a sensible time. “To expect 30,000 fans to travel back north late on a Sunday evening is unfair. Wembley is a great, iconic venue but there are challenges getting to and from there, so we call on ITV and the FA to help our fans in particular by offering an earlier kick-off which allows families to attend.” The group is still encouraging fans not to attend the game and support local foodbanks instead. It has organised a screening of the match at the Band on the Wall venue in Manchester city centre and proceeds will be donated to such causes. “Fans can make a difference – even if a full boycott is not expected at this stage,” the statement added. “It’s hard to sacrifice watching your own team play. However, some fans are seeing it is an opportunity to make a statement. “It’s not the FA Cup final, it’s not the Champions League final. It is a game in the scheme of things where fans, if they are not valued, can choose to walk away from attending.” The FA has been approached for comment. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Joe Root: England can leave a legacy by taking different approach to Australia Roger Federer welcomed back to Centre Court for first time since his retirement Spurs in talks to sign Wolfsburg centre-back Micky van de Ven
2023-07-04 21:41
Herbert, Chargers keep Vikings winless, pulling out a 28-24 victory sealed by late pick in end zone
Herbert, Chargers keep Vikings winless, pulling out a 28-24 victory sealed by late pick in end zone
Justin Herbert passed for 405 yards and three touchdowns for Los Angeles and the Chargers kept Kirk Cousins and Minnesota out of the end zone twice in the last 3 minutes to preserve a wild 28-24 victory over the winless Vikings
2023-09-25 04:55
Kyle Walker reveals six-word message to Man City teammates ahead of Champions League win
Kyle Walker reveals six-word message to Man City teammates ahead of Champions League win
Kyle Walker has revealed the six-word message he delivered to his Manchester City teammates ahead of their Champions League final victory over Inter Milan. City completed a historic treble but were made to work hard by Inter as it took a second-half goal from Rodri to finally put them ahead at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul, before goalkeeper Ederson made a couple of wonder saves and the Italians hit the crossbar in pursuit of an equaliser. Pep Guardiola’s side eventually did get over the line however and a first Champions League trophy in the club’s history completed the holy grail, to add to their Champions League and FA Cup triumphs this term. Walker has been a key cog in the winning machine, most notably making a brilliant recovery tackle on Vinicius Jr at a key stage of City’s revenge win over Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals. However, he was dropped for the final itself – although he was substituted on late in the game to help see it over the line – but, as a member of Guardiola’s leadership group, still delivered a message in the dressing room before the final. And he has revealed the six crucial words he said to inspire his teammates. The England defender told BT Sport after the game: “I said ‘my dream is in your hands’. It's as simple as that. There's no pressure!” Walker also described his emotions at winning the treble and how they interacted with his inevitable disappointment at not being selected to start the final. “I’m over the moon,” he said. “I’m very rarely speechless but my dream has come true, to achieve this with this club. For everything they’ve done for every single one of us over the years. To achieve a treble is unbelievable. “It’s about being a leader. I’m always going to be disappointed when I’m not playing but I’m 33 now. My example sets on to the younger lads. I made a speech before they went out. I was true to my words - it was emotional but this club means so much to me. To experience what I’ve experienced in football, I’m forever in debt. “You can’t say Inter deserved it more than we did or we deserved it more than they did. We’re both here by merit. Commiserations to them but there has to be a loser. “I said to the lads, we have to leave everything on that pitch. We can't work as hard as we have done all season to throw it away. I thought the lads dug deep tonight.” Walker said the victory was all the more special given that City had lost to Chelsea in the 2021 Champions League final and that he was able to share it with his family in Istanbul. “Emotions played a part,” he explained. “The occasion is obviously going to get to you. I got a silver one [medal] last time so to get a gold one is fantastic. “I’m living the dream. My mum and dad are in the stands. From where I come from in Sheffield, it’s not easy. For them to be here, to experience my memories with them. I remember when my mum didn’t have a pound for the ice cream van. To have this with them, I’m so thankful.” And with an inevitably huge party following the sealing of the treble, the 33-year-old laid out his intentions to enjoy the celebrations. He laughed: "I’ll drink anything in front of me. Put any drink in front of me, I'm destroying it!" Read More Man City secure landmark Champions League victory that stretches beyond historic treble Pep Guardiola ended 12 years of hurt thanks to masterful midfield reinvention Man City vs Inter Milan player ratings: Ederson and Rodri earn Champions League glory Man City’s holy grail and Pep’s tactics – Champions League final talking points Kyle Walker insists Champions League win will not define Man City’s achievements The ‘tough’ memory driving Kyle Walker and three teams Man City aim to emulate
2023-06-11 06:13
Zverev makes winning return to French Open court of pain
Zverev makes winning return to French Open court of pain
Alexander Zverev made a successful return to the French Open's Court Philippe Chatrier on Thursday, a year after suffering a horrifying ankle ligament...
2023-06-02 04:58
US House Oversight panel will issue subpoenas to president's son, brother to appear
US House Oversight panel will issue subpoenas to president's son, brother to appear
WASHINGTON The U.S. House Oversight Committee said on Wednesday it will issue subpoenas to President Joe Biden's son,
2023-11-09 03:02
Armenia says it is ready to make peace but Azerbaijan says process undermined
Armenia says it is ready to make peace but Azerbaijan says process undermined
By Felix Light TBILISI Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday said he was ready to sign a
2023-10-18 01:54
Who is Johnathan Baker? Ohio man charged for abducting and killing GF's 7-month-old daughter in crash while fleeing cops
Who is Johnathan Baker? Ohio man charged for abducting and killing GF's 7-month-old daughter in crash while fleeing cops
Prosecutors stated in a joint statement that the infant's postmortem showed she had been shot twice and perished as a result of the wounds
2023-07-15 18:12
FACTBOX-Stocks to watch as Idalia makes landfall in Florida
FACTBOX-Stocks to watch as Idalia makes landfall in Florida
NEW YORK Florida is bracing for Tropical Storm Idalia as it intensifies into a major hurricane on Monday
2023-08-29 04:07
New York sues PepsiCo in effort to hold it responsible for litter that winds up in rivers
New York sues PepsiCo in effort to hold it responsible for litter that winds up in rivers
New York state has sued PepsiCo in an effort to hold the soda-and-snack food giant partly responsible for litter that winds up in bodies of water that supply the city of Buffalo with drinking water
2023-11-16 07:13
How Phil Foden's goal against Nottingham Forest nearly broke a Premier League pass record
How Phil Foden's goal against Nottingham Forest nearly broke a Premier League pass record
Phil Foden's opener against Sheffield United was close to breaking a Premier League record.
2023-09-25 01:30
IShowSpeed's reaction to Twitch reinstatement after 2-year ban goes viral, Internet dubs YouTuber 'corrupted'
IShowSpeed's reaction to Twitch reinstatement after 2-year ban goes viral, Internet dubs YouTuber 'corrupted'
Renowned live-streamer IShowSpeed made a triumphant return to Twitch after a two-year ban, sparking excitement in the streaming community
2023-10-11 13:29
When Ivan Toney can play again once betting suspension ends
When Ivan Toney can play again once betting suspension ends
When Ivan Toney can play for Brentford again once his suspension for betting breaches ends.
2023-09-16 02:00