Why the Championship play-off final kicks off one minute late today
Sheffield United take on Sunderland today in the Championship play-off final, with the winner earning promotion back to the Premier League.
Often described as the most lucrative game in world football, the Blades are aiming to return to the top-flight at the first time of asking, while the Black Cats can end their eight-year exile in the EFL.
But you may have noticed that Saturday's match at Wembley kicks-off at the unusual time of 3.01pm.
In fact, all three play-off finals this weekend will get underway at one minute past the hour, with Charlton vs Leyton Orient at 1.01pm on Sunday and AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall at 3.01pm on Monday.
The reason behind the unusual kick off times today is all to raise awareness of Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation's 'Every Minute Matters' campaign which aims to teach people life-saving CPR.
The campaign has already surpassed its target of educating 270,000 people – the equivalent of three Wembleys – through the British Heart Foundation's online RevivR tool and hopes to reach 360,000 by the end of the play-offs.
The delayed kick-off time is to symbolise how every minute matters when administering life-saving treatment.
The campaign was unveiled at the end of last season by a number of famous football faces, including Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer who suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the pitch during the Hatters' play-off final win in 2023.
The Wales international will appear on the pitch at half-time of the Championship play-off today to help demonstrate CPR alongside former footballer turned actor Vinnie Jones.
Learn CPR in 15 minutes for free with British Heart Foundation's online training course.
Visit BHF here.
'I was just one of the more than 30,000 people who suffer an out of hospital cardiac arrest every year in the UK,' the Lockyer said. More Trending
'I am lucky to be alive today, but the reality is that less than 1 in 10 people usually survive, which is why it's vital that we continue to raise awareness. The symbolic kick off times are the perfect way to make our lifesaving message impossible to ignore.
In the world of football, which I'm still involved in as a pundit, there's been a number of high-profile incidents involving athletes with heart issues (like Tom Lockyer of Luton, who suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch last year, or Christian Eriksen, who collapsed during Euro 2020 while playing for Denmark.
While those cases weren't related to high blood pressure, for me it all underlines that message that if serious health conditions can happen to these super fit athletes, it can happen to you, much like it did to me over three decades ago.
Getting checked over is an investment for your future health, looking after yourself while you are young – and even at my age – is the right thing to do for your health and your family!
Taking a couple of pills every day is a small price to pay for the health and time with my family I've enjoyed since that first diagnosis.
I want the same for everyone, no matter how at risk they think they are, or aren't.
Take it from someone who never thought they would have high blood pressure, much less major heart surgery – it can happen to absolutely anyone, at any time.
Read Graeme's full story here.
'Over the course of the last year, the EFL community – fans, players and the clubs – have come together and united behind the Sky Bet Every Minute Matters campaign to achieve something I never thought possible.
'And now, as we approach the business end of the season, the Sky Bet Play-Off Finals provide an incredible platform to continue to spread the word and bring the curtain down on a game changing year in the fight against cardiac arrest.'
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
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MORE: Frank Lampard clashes with Sunderland fan after Coventry City defeat in Championship play-off semi-final
MORE: Sunderland can survive a nervy home game with Frank Lampard's Coventry to reach Championship play-off final
MORE: Sheffield United can clinch place in Championship play-off final but big questions remain about their Premier League prospects
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