{"id":521964,"date":"2026-04-09T19:10:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T19:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/521964\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T19:10:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T19:10:11","slug":"southampton-allowed-to-break-fa-cup-rules-for-semi-final-against-man-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/521964\/","title":{"rendered":"Southampton allowed to break FA Cup rules for semi-final against Man City"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Southampton will face Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup later this month, but the Saints won&#8217;t be wearing their traditional red and white stripes<\/p>\n<p>17:26, 09 Apr 2026Updated 18:28, 09 Apr 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: Ross Stewart of Southampton celebrates after putting his team up 1-0 during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Southampton and Arsenal on April 04, 2026 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Matt Watson\/Southampton FC via Getty Images)\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1_GettyImages-2269828541.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Southampton have won yellow in the FA Cup this season\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Southampton have won yellow in the FA Cup this season(Image: Matt Watson\/Southampton FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Southampton have been granted permission to wear their special anniversary kit for their <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/fa-cup\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">FA Cup<\/a> semi-final against <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/manchester-city-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Manchester City<\/a>. The Saints have ditched their red and white stripes in favour of yellow throughout this season&#8217;s competition, including at home, such as when <a aria-label=\"they beat Arsenal 2-1 last SaturdayLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/match-reports\/arsenal-southampton-fa-cup-stewart-36969716\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">they beat Arsenal 2-1 last Saturday<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Inspired by their 1-0 victory over <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/manchester-united-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Manchester United<\/a> in the 1976 FA Cup final, the shirt is predominantly yellow with blue trim and marks Southampton&#8217;s only major trophy win to date. But its use at Wembley was in doubt, as <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/the-fa\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">FA<\/a> rules state that from the semi-final stage onwards, clubs must wear a kit which was registered at the start of the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Now, though, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/southampton-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Southampton<\/a> have announced that they&#8217;ll be able to wear yellow when they face City at 5:15pm on Saturday, April 25. Southampton said: &#8220;The club is pleased to have been granted permission to wear the commemorative &#8217;76-inspired yellow kit that has been a permanent fixture of this season&#8217;s FA Cup run for the victories over <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/doncaster-rovers-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Doncaster<\/a>, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/leicester-city-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Leicester<\/a>, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/fulham-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Fulham<\/a> and <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/arsenal-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Arsenal<\/a>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In another good omen for the Saints, they&#8217;ve been given the west end of Wembley. That&#8217;s where their fans watched them beat <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/leeds-united-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Leeds<\/a> in the 2024 <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/football-league-championship\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Championship<\/a> play-off final.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">WORLD CUP LEGENDS: <a aria-label=\"The stars who lit up football&#039;s greatest tournament - Buy the Special Edition todayLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk\/world-cup-legends-5666-p.asp\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">The stars who lit up football&#8217;s greatest tournament &#8211; Buy the Special Edition today<\/a><\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36990151\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/fa-cup-semis-chelsea-leeds-36990151\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">FA Cup semi-final fixture details confirmed after Chelsea vs Leeds concerns<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36977984\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/fa-cup-semi-final-fixtures-36977984\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Premier League fixture changes confirmed with FA Cup semi-final impact clear<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Tonda Eckert&#8217;s men pulled off a famous win against Arsenal on Saturday to book their ticket to Wembley. Goals from Ross Stewart and Shea Charles either side of <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/viktor-gyokeres\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Viktor Gyokeres&#8217;<\/a> equaliser got the job done at a raucous St Mary&#8217;s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The winner of their semi-final will play either <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/chelsea-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Chelsea<\/a> or Leeds in this year&#8217;s final on Saturday, May 16. Southampton are also chasing promotion to the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/premier-league\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Premier League<\/a>, having suffered relegation back to the Championship last term.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Saints beat promotion rivals <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/wrexham-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Wrexham<\/a> 5-1 on Tuesday to leapfrog their opponents and move into the play-off spots. Southampton also have a game in hand on all but one of the teams in the play-off mix.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Who&#8217;ll reach the FA Cup final? Give us your prediction in the <a aria-label=\"comments sectionLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/southampton-fa-cup-manchester-city-36991366#comments-section\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">comments section<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: Head Coach Tonda Eckert of Southampton during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Southampton and Arsenal  on April 04, 2026 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Robin Jones\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_GettyImages-2269890168.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Tonda Eckert has transformed Southampton's fortunes\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Tonda Eckert has transformed Southampton&#8217;s fortunes(Image: Robin Jones\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I think we are at a good moment physically and mentally, but we will need to close this game tonight, recover tomorrow and go again,&#8221; Eckert, who was appointed in December following an interim spell, hailed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I think when you come to this stage of the season you need everyone being ready to go. The group lives off a very good spirit, you can feel that. We travelled yesterday, and with the focus that we had in the morning session today, you could see that the boys were ready. That\u2019s good to know for the games going forward.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"Join our new WhatsApp communityLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Feq1SEG6mXDIZGTTnek7oz\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us &#8211; and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you&#8217;re cu rious, you can read our <a aria-label=\"Privacy NoticeLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reachplc.com\/site-services\/privacy-policy\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>FREE \u00a33 William Hill Shop Bets inside your Mirror every day of the Grand National Festival<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1_Copy-of-WH-SOCIAL-Mirror3.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Don&#8217;t miss a FREE shop bet inside your favourite racing paper every day of the Grand National festival! 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See paper for details.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Southampton will face Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup later this month, but the Saints&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":521965,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[2948,218,2502,566,101,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-521964","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-fa-cup","9":"tag-football","10":"tag-manchester-city-fc","11":"tag-southampton-fc","12":"tag-sports","13":"tag-uk","14":"tag-united-kingdom","15":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=521964"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521964\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/521965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=521964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=521964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=521964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}