With Tottenham and City competing for a Champions League place, the forthcoming Premier League meeting between the two FA Cup finalists has come under the spotlight.
In a peculiar twist of fate, Stoke had been scheduled to meet Roberto Mancini’s team in the League on May 14, which is now the day for their FA Cup final showdown.
They will now instead meet three days later at the City of Manchester Stadium on the Tuesday night and, if Tony Pulis’s team were to lose the final, they would require their opponents to finish in the top four for their own European dream to become a reality. And as such, Tottenham are concerned that the fixture would give Stoke a dilemma. Essentially, should they play to win, it could hurt their own chances of qualifying for Europe.
Redknapp said: "I think they should look at it. The chairman spoke to me about it. We feel it should be changed - but it's a bit out of my hands."
Football Association, Premier League and Uefa rules stipulate the runners-up are entitled to a Europa League berth only if the Cup winners qualify for the Champions League.
So, if Manchester City were to lose out to Tottenham Hotspur and finish fifth, securing them a second spot in the Europa League, then one of them would be passed down to the team who finish sixth, currently Liverpool.
The other Europa League spot available for next season had already gone to Birmingham City, the Carling Cup winners.
Although there is no suggestion Stoke would send out a side with anything but the intention of winning, potential stakeholders such as Spurs, whose own Champions League hopes would be dented should Manchester City gain three points at the Potters’ expense, and Kenny Dalglish’s team will certainly be paying close attention to the fixture.
The Premier League would not query the integrity of the two teams and it is highly unlikely that the fixture will be rescheduled to take place prior to the Wembley showpiece.
Redknapp currently has more pressing concerns - tomorrow's north London derby against Arsenal at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham did not have a fixture at the weekend, while Arsenal were involved in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool on Sunday.
However, Redknapp rejected claims his team would have an advantage because of the lack of recent action.
He said: "We've played more games than they have lately - we've been playing in the Champions League."
On Sunday's clash at the Emirates Stadium, he added: "Arsenal pulled it out of the fire with a minute to go, then Liverpool showed fantastic spirit to get the equaliser."
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