National League side Sutton United will decide on Wednesday night "whether to make the potentially lucrative decision" to switch its "historic" FA Cup clash against Arsenal to Selhurst Park, according to Sami Mokbel of the London DAILY MAIL. The club was "in dreamland on Monday night" after drawing Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round following its "giant-killing against Leeds United on Sunday." A meeting to discuss the "forthcoming clash" against Arsenal has been scheduled for Wednesday evening, "with the option of moving the tie away" from Sutton United's Gander Green Lane home "likely to be on the agenda." Gander Green Lane has a capacity of around 5,000; Selhurst Park "can hold 26,000 fans." Sutton charged £25 ($31.46) for an adult ticket, £15 ($18.87) concessions and £10 ($12.58) for children for its fourth-round win over Leeds. If it used the same ticket pricing policy at Selhurst Park (and Crystal Palace "took their share"), and "every one of the extra 21,000 tickets were bought by paying adults" -- which would be "unlikely" -- the club would earn a maximum of £236,250 ($297,273) in gate receipts. Each club receives 45% of the gate receipts in FA Cup ties. Sutton is reportedly "minded to play the match -- which will represent the biggest day" in the club's history -- at its current home, but switching the clash to Selhurst Park, which is just eight miles away, "would have major financial implications for the National League outfit." Sutton United "will also receive a substantial cash injection if the clash is televised." It "remains to be seen" whether Sutton will make a request to the FA to change venue, although Wembley execs "will leave it entirely up to the club" (DAILY MAIL, 1/31).
