FA Cup game hits Passover snag

THE Football Association is under increasing pressure to change the date of its Cup semifinal between Tottenham and Arsenal, which clashes with the first day of the Jewish Passover.

Both clubs have high numbers of Jewish supporters and strict observers will be unable to attend the match on 18 April.

Others Jewish fans of the London-based teams are expected to boycott the Manchester match because they will be unable to get home by the dusk deadline for the second seder - a traditional Jewish celebration and evening meal.

A decision was made to move it to Old Trafford because of the ground's 67,500 capacity. The game is due to start at 1.30pm, but if it goes into extra time, it will not finish until about 4pm. An Arsenal-supporting spokesman for the Board of Deputies of British Jews said: "A number will not be going at all. Even if I could get a ticket, I would not go because I would not get back in time."

Rabbi Tony Bayfield, chief executive of the Reform Synagogues, said: "It is a very difficult question to ask a rabbi and West Ham season ticket holder."

David Buchler, Tottenham's vice-chairman, who is Jewish, will attend the first seder the night before the match and also go to the game.

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