Manchester United supporters are set to occupy prime seats for their FA Cup clash with Arsenal.
The Football Association's rules dictate that away clubs should be allocated up to 15 per cent of the ground capacity, often leading to a vibrant atmosphere in significant cup matches.
However, due to safety concerns, the Safety Advisory Group has ruled out the use of the upper tier at the Emirates for away fans during Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie.
Consequently, United fans will occupy the entire lower tier of the away end and a section of one side of the stadium.
This arrangement has necessitated the relocation of numerous Arsenal season ticket holders, a common occurrence in FA Cup games.
The substantial presence of United fans in the lower tier of the ground, closer to the pitch, could potentially give them an advantage in creating more noise.
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Discussions have been held between the SAG and both clubs regarding this issue, with around 8,000 tickets allocated to United.
The decision has not been well-received by some Arsenal fans who have been displaced from their usual seats.
Others have expressed concern about United fans occupying the best seats to create an atmosphere. It is unusual for the away team to be denied access to the upper tier, which would typically mitigate such issues.
Premier League games usually allocate a fraction of the number of tickets United are receiving on Sunday to the away section.
This implies that they can be housed in the lower tier for approximately half of that end of the pitch.
However, the FA Cup regulations differ significantly and with SAG’s decision on the lower tier, it could be more audible and visible to the TV cameras.
