Chelsea want FA to bring forward Cup semi-final to help European cause

Chelsea play the Portuguese at the Estádio da Luz on Tuesday night in the first leg of their quarter-final and Roberto Di Matteo has expressed frustration that more leeway is not granted to the last remaining English side in European competition on weekends ahead of key ties. Benfica and Napoli, in the previous round, were permitted by their domestic federations to play their league games on Friday night before taking on Chelsea, effectively allowing them an extra 24 hours' recovery time.

The Londoners' interim first-team coach suggested on Monday night that initial discussions had taken place with the FA to test the water ahead of a potential Champions League semi-final, which would be scheduled for 18 April at Stamford Bridge, if Benfica are defeated over two legs. There is an acceptance that having a move in date sanctioned may prove difficult but the situation is likely to be revisited by English clubs next season.

"Absolutely, we need [the support from the FA] because it doesn't help English teams in the Champions League," said Di Matteo. "Benfica played on Friday night, so did Napoli. Their leagues try to give them a lot of help and the best possible advantage. We are engaged on this matter but, ultimately, someone has to make the decision. But let's get through this tie first."

The schedule for FA Cup semi-final weekend is complicated by Liverpool's tie, against Sunderland or Everton, having been confirmed for Saturday 14 April to avoid a clash with the 23rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. That would leave Chelsea facing either Tottenham Hotspur or Bolton – the sides meet on Tuesday night in what is sure to be an emotionally charged occasion after the initial game was abandoned when Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest – on Sunday 15 April, some three days before the potential semi-final against Milan or Barcelona.

Any request made through the FA to bring forward the fixture would run into issues with the Metropolitan police, particularly if the semi-final proved to be a London derby against Spurs. Broadcasters would also be reluctant to lose a showpiece occasion from their Sunday afternoon scheduling when viewing figures might be maximised.

Concerns are rife within the Chelsea squad over the cluttered fixture schedule, particularly with their fraught pursuit of a top-four Premier League finish. Petr Cech described the potential list of games as "a crazy calendar" over the weekend and Di Matteo has regularly expressed his concerns on the issue.

（一个慢牛）