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The FA Cup final will be played after the conclusion of the Premier League next year, restoring the Wembley showpiece to its rightful place as the last game of the English season.
In a victory for traditionalists, the 2014 Cup final will be staged on Saturday May 17, six days after the end of the Premier League season.
It will be the first time since 2010 the Cup final has been played after the end of the league campaign.
Last season, Wigan Athletic shocked Manchester City in a Cup final played on May 11, only to then have their relegation from the Premier League confirmed by defeat to Arsenal three days later.
The change is a victory for outgoing FA Chairman David Bernstein, who has lobbied for the famous event to be returned to its traditional place in the calendar.
It is expected the kick-off time for the final will be kept at 5.15pm for a third season running in order to ensure primetime television audiences, instead of reverting to the original 3pm start.
The move has been helped by next summer’s World Cup in Brazil, as major summer competitions usually mean an early end to the Premier League so internationals can join pre-tournament training camps.
Prior to the World Cup finals in 2010, the Premier League ended on May 9, as opposed to May 19 this year and May 22 in 2011.
However, regardless of whether there is a tournament or not, the Cup final will bring the curtain down on the English season every year from now on.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2Wg9sGkfw
In a victory for traditionalists, the 2014 Cup final will be staged on Saturday May 17, six days after the end of the Premier League season.
It will be the first time since 2010 the Cup final has been played after the end of the league campaign.
Last season, Wigan Athletic shocked Manchester City in a Cup final played on May 11, only to then have their relegation from the Premier League confirmed by defeat to Arsenal three days later.
The change is a victory for outgoing FA Chairman David Bernstein, who has lobbied for the famous event to be returned to its traditional place in the calendar.
It is expected the kick-off time for the final will be kept at 5.15pm for a third season running in order to ensure primetime television audiences, instead of reverting to the original 3pm start.
The move has been helped by next summer’s World Cup in Brazil, as major summer competitions usually mean an early end to the Premier League so internationals can join pre-tournament training camps.
Prior to the World Cup finals in 2010, the Premier League ended on May 9, as opposed to May 19 this year and May 22 in 2011.
However, regardless of whether there is a tournament or not, the Cup final will bring the curtain down on the English season every year from now on.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2Wg9sGkfw