XtraTime Web Desk: The FA Cup final this season will be renamed ‘Heads UP FA Cup final’ following Prince William’s mental health initiative. The original sponsors name Emirates will give way for Heads Up, in a bid to encourage positive mental health for everyone in the UK. The coronavirus pandemic has left the people of United Kingdom in distress, killing more than 40,000 and forcing thousands to isolate for months.
Prince William during a video call on Thursday with the Arsenal squad announced the initiative.
“We’re going to really use the final as a moment to promote good, positive mental health for everyone,” the prince said. “It’s quite timely bearing in mind what we’ve all been through with this pandemic.
“I think there’s going to be, sadly, a lot of repercussions from this in society, not just in football, in terms of people’s mental health. Hopefully the FA Cup can be a bit of a pivot that people can rally around.”
The FA cup final was due to be played in May but the spread of COVID-19 has forced a shut down in England since March. With the situation improving across the country, the Premier League is all set to restart from Wednesday after a forced break for almost three months.
It was Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who first contracted the virus that led to the Premier League being put on hold. Arteta has been aware of the need to discuss mental well being with his players, who were unable to go train as a team for more than two months.
The FA chief executive Mark Bullingham has welcomed the initiative by Prince William, saying, “After several difficult months for many throughout the country, mental health well being is more important than ever,”
He added, “Renaming the FA Cup in this way, with millions around the world watching, is our way to help stimulate this discussion.”
Arsenal plays Sheffield United in the quarterfinals on June 28.