FA Cup

Report: Manchester City angry at scheduling of FA Cup tie with Chelsea

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 06 February 2016

Manchester City are reportedly furious that their FA Cup fifth-round tie at Chelsea will take place just three days before a vital Champions League game in Kiev.

Manchester City have reportedly written to the Football Association expressing their anger with the scheduling of their FA Cup fifth-round tie against Chelsea later this month.

The Citizens' trip to Stamford Bridge has been arranged for 4pm on Sunday, February 21, just three days before the club's Champions League last-16 first leg away at Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine.

Manuel Pellegrini's side then take on Liverpool in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley four days later before facing the Reds again at Anfield in the Premier League three days after that, completing a run of four games in 11 days.

According to PA, City will send a letter of complaint to senior figures at the FA, who did respond last night.

A spokesperson said: "The FA has worked closely with our broadcast partners and various public bodies to explore all avenues when arranging the Emirates FA Cup fifth-round schedule, however, with multiple teams playing in Europe on consecutive weeks it was very difficult to manage the ties in a way to suit everyone."

A Saturday fixture at Chelsea was not possible because of fellow West Londoners Fulham also playing at home and police being unwilling to sanction another kickoff close to that time.