Crystal Palace boss Glasner: I’d wear a suit for FA Cup final….not before that

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has told the South London Press that he will respect tradition and not wear formal attire for the South London side’s FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on Saturday.

The game will be the first as a manager at Wembley for the Austrian, who has only previously visited the national stadium to watch England games and drop off his daughter for a Taylor Swift concert.

Tradition dictates that formal wear, nowadays suits, are usually worn for the FA Cup final, going right back to its first season in 1871-72, but with a final spot at least 90 minutes away for the Eagles, Glasner is not breaking with that long tradition.

“Of course, I talked about it, but I like tradition and over here, the tradition is kept high (prominent),” explained the 50-year-old.

“I won’t wear a suit because it’s not traditional for the semi-final, but it is for the final. If we are at the final, I will wear a suit, because I like this [tradition].”

And Glasner is well-versed in the traditions of British sport, having visited a globally-known venue in South London in his recent free time.

“You know, I played tennis at Wimbledon and there you have to wear all white, it’s just nice,” said a smiling Glasner. “And then, having dinner there, you have to wear a jacket and tie. It was a Thursday evening and I don’t think I have ever worn a jacket and tie on a Thursday evening.

“But this is a special atmosphere and then, when it is this, I will stick to the tradition.”