The royal wedding of Prince Harry and American actress, Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018 has clashed with the FA Cup final which traditionally, his brother, Prince William as English FA president, attends since 2006. Kensington Palace announced the wedding date on Friday and that the event would hold at Windsor Castle.

Both events are major in England as the FA Cup is a major English sporting event.

Despite the conflict, people are excited about the royal wedding, and that includes the FA. Reacting to the clash with the cup match, an FA spokesman said the organisation was “delighted” for Prince Harry and Ms Markle.

He added: “Saturday 19 May promises to be a wonderful day with such a special royal occasion being followed by English football’s showpiece event, the Emirates FA Cup Final.

“With millions coming together to watch both events at home and around the world, it will be a day to celebrate.”

Fresh from their victory over Chelsea FC, Arsenal brought the Emirates FA Cup once again to Dubai after the team’s record 13th victory of the historic trophy.

The Emirates FA Cup made its way to Arsenal Soccer Schools Dubai at 7he Sevens so that its lucky students could join in to take special individual and group photos with the trophy, and over 120 kids had their photo taken with the iconic trophy.

Arsenal Soccer Schools Dubai is a joint venture between Emirates and Arsenal, open to boys and girls of all abilities, aging from five to 20.

Each year, more than 400 children are taught to “Play the Arsenal Way’, based on the same principles taught to the first team.

The training programme is also designed to help aspiring young footballers develop their skills on the pitch, ensuring they have a platform to reach their potential.

Emirates have been a proud sponsor of Arsenal Football Club since 2004, and the partnership includes the club’s jersey sponsorship and naming rights to Arsenal’s home ground, Emirates Stadium.

In 2015 Emirates became Title Sponsor of the FA Cup, the world’s oldest and largest domestic football tournament, which is now globally known as The Emirates FA Cup.

The Emirates FA Cup also made a special visit to Emirates Group Headquarters, and employees were given the chance to take pictures with the trophy.

Arsenal Soccer Schools Dubai (ASSD) focuses on nurturing young talent and helping players to play to their full potential.

A number of first team players have visited Dubai to train and coach students in addition to meet and greet sessions with recent visits by Mesut Ozil (May 2016), Nacho Monreal and Danny Welbeck (2015).

Competitive matches are regularly held against opposing teams to expose the students to different styles of football. Development squads are selected to help to raise the standard of play, especially among more gifted players.

In addition, participation in annual Arsenal tournaments against other schools in the region are regularly held. ASSD’s new term for Season 2017/18 starts in September.

BY BOLAJI OKUNOLA.

Victor Moses who became the first Nigerian player and fifth overall to be red-carded in the English FA Cup final has gained praises from his teammates instead of condemnation.
He now joins Chris Smalling (2016), Pablo Zabaleta (2013), Jose Antonio Reyes (2005) and Kevin Moran (1985) as players who have been sent off in an FA Cup final.
Moses is however the only one sent off for diving. In apparent frustration, Moses threw away his black armband which his teammates initially in the first half forgot to wear in honour of the victims of last Monday’s terror attack in Manchester.
The Nigerian wingback was sent off in the 60th minute by the referee for simulation in a final match that his Chelsea lost 1-2 to Arsenal. In a Chelsea TV interview programme monitored by Sports Village Square, Chelsea’s solitary scorer, Diego Costa did not want to comment on the Referee Anthony Taylor’s decision to expel Moses for diving in Arsenal’s penalty box, but praised Moses for his contributions to the team’s fortunes in the season just ended.
“Moses has been instrumental to the team. The fact that he was red carded is not a yardstick for our defeat.
“We ought not to have lost the game but we got no choice. It’s a game of football. Its either you win or lose. We hope for a better performance next season.”
Team mate, Cesc Fabregas also told Chelsea T.V in a post match conference that the team lost due to ill luck.
Hear him: “We lost the game due to lack of luck; this is a game of football. It’s unpredictable. Although we were one man down, but I never see that as an excuse. In a game there is surely a winner and a loser. We hope for more result next season.”
In a similar vein, team handler, Antonio Conte, in a post match interview also applauded all his players without out slamming any one for their misfortune.
“My players have all done well. Although we had a plan of grabbing a double, but we have no choice than to accept our fate. Arsenal play fantastic football no doubt, but at the same time, my boys have also done their best.
“Although we were playing with a one man down but, we equalised shortly after he (Moses) was sent off but we failed to maintain the form.
“We all have got to learn and am currently looking forward for more medals next season”, said Conte.
Moses becomes the second Nigerian to lose the F.A Cup final at Wembley after that of former Super Eagles’ captain, Joseph Yobo, who was a member of the Everton squad that lost the 2010 final to Chelsea.