FA facing UEFA fine after arranging Arsenal's replay at Hull on Champions League night

THE FA have risked a UEFA fine by arranging Arsenal’s Cup replay at Hull on a Champions League night.

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    THE BOSS: Wenger is frustrated with the fixture congestion

But in an attempt to minimize the impact on the European action, the match on March 8 will start at 7pm after the FA rejected the prospect of a 5.45pm kick off.

The FA consulted with UEFA over arranging the clash for Tuesday week, with the game deciding who faces Watford in the quarter-finals the following weekend, before Arsene Wenger’s side travel to Barcelona for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 clash.

Despite the talks, it is understood UEFA may still punish the FA for breaking the rules with Wolfsburg playing Gent and Real Madrid facing Roma on the same night.

FA chief executive Martin Glenn appeared to call for leniency from UEFA today, with the difficulty finding a date for the replay caused largely by Arsenal’s involvement in the Champions League.

The Gunners play their second-leg against Barcelona eight days after the trip to Hull.

They also have to face north London rivals Tottenham at White Hart Lane three days before the Cup game in clash which could have a major impact on the destiny of the title.

The FA also took into account Hull’s promotion push from the Championship when ruling out playing the tie on the Monday night.

Glenn, aware that such calendar clashes remain a major issue as football’s power brokers under the abolition of FA Cup replays, also appealed to UEFA to help address the issue of fixture congestion.

He said: “We want all of our clubs to be part of strong, vibrant domestic competitions, to perform well on the European stage and for the England team to be challenging for international honours.

“To have a better chance of achieving these aims more effectively, it is imperative we resolve the on-going problem of match scheduling together.

“Fixture scheduling is an issue for the whole game so let’s build upon the productive conversations we have held with the Premier League and Football League and call upon UEFA to join the discussion to create clear, workable guidelines for the benefit of all.”

But the FA have still not managed to fix dates for the four quarter-finals to be played over the weekend of March 11-14.

Meanwhile, scans have confirmed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered knee and ankle ligament damage against Barcelona on Tuesday.

Oxlade-Chamberlain now looks set to be out for at least two months, which will cast doubt over his chances of making Roy Hodgson’s squad for Euro 2016.