The Football Association is considering a significant rule change regarding the stadium that hosts the FA Youth Cup final, following a dispute over the venue for the recent clash between Manchester City and Manchester United.
Manchester City secured a 2-1 victory in the final, but the choice of venue sparked controversy. Under current regulations, the team drawn first has the right to host the final. City opted to stage the match at their 6,447-capacity women's ground, located adjacent to the Etihad Stadium, rather than at the larger Etihad itself.
Manchester United had offered to host the final at Old Trafford, arguing that it would allow young players to perform in front of a capacity crowd at an iconic venue. However, City declined the offer, leading to criticism from United's academy staff and supporters. The Manchester United Supporters' Trust and members of the club's fans' forum called the decision a "disgrace" and urged the FA to intervene.
According to reports, the FA is now reviewing the situation as part of an annual competition review and is considering a rule change to prevent similar disputes in the future. One proposed solution would require that if a host club chooses not to stage the final at its main stadium, the match would automatically be moved to the opponent's home ground.
Following City's victory, United coach Darren Fletcher criticised the FA's handling of the event. He said: "I'm disappointed in the FA for everything that's gone around this game: for the location, for everything. You have to respect the opposition. But not when Man City take over an FA Youth Cup. It's an FA competition. It should never have been like that."
Fletcher added: "I've never heard individual coaches be shouted out and every individual player be shouted out. That doesn't happen in cup finals. It's an FA competition and it felt like it was a Man City competition for this whole build-up to the game and in terms of how we had to deal with that at the end. That's my one gripe for tonight. But the best team won, compliments to them."
The FA has yet to announce a final decision, but the review signals a potential shift in policy to ensure that future finals are held in neutral or mutually agreed venues, preserving the integrity of the competition.
