Soccer: FA cup date clash dilemma for Jewish fans

The Football Association is under pressure to reschedule the FA Cup semi-final match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur because it clashes with the first day of the Jewish festival of Passover.

With both north London clubs having large numbers of Jewish fans, the April 8 match was set to cause problems as strict observers will be unable to attend the game.

Less strict observers may have to stay away because the Manchester venue means they are unlikely to get home before dusk for the second seder, a celebration and evening meal.

An Arsenal-supporting spokesman for the Board of Deputies of British Jews said: "There are different levels of observance within Jewish communities.

"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."

Tottenham's vice chairman David Buchler, who is Jewish, plans to attend the first seder the night before the game and still go to the match, the newspaper says.