THE FA Cup final could be staged on August 1 – seven days earlier than scheduled.
Premier League bosses have agreed that the top-flight season should restart on June 17 and finish on July 25 or 26.
FA Cup final could be played at Wembley on August 1Credit: PA:Press Association
This means the FA could end the season with their showpiece final on August 1 with the match – along with the semi-finals – to be staged behind closed doors at Wembley.
Football chiefs were expecting an August 8 final as it was feared the Premier League was not going to restart until June 26.
But the news of a June 17 date has given the organisation a big boost and a bit more time to play with.
The FA Cup quarter-finals are expected to be played in a midweek round in late June and early July.
The news also means English clubs still in Europe will not have any more domestic games in August as they prepare for a return to both the Champions League and Europa League.
All 92 remaining Premier League matches will be live on TV, with a third of them totally free.
They kick off with Man City vs Arsenal and Aston Villa vs Sheffield Utd — followed by a full weekend of top-flight fixtures.
Jubilant England skipper Harry Kane said: “Football is back soon!”
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker tweeted: “It’s coming back, it’s coming back, it’s coming . . . football’s coming back.”
The season will finish by August 2 if there is no new virus spike.
These are the neutral grounds that will be used if needed when football returns from June 17
All matches – some of which could be staged at neutral venues – will be played behind closed doors with stars and staff tested regularly.
The 92 remaining games will be live on Sky Sports, BT Sport, BBC Sport and Amazon Prime — with 29 matches free to air.
Clubs agreed to the Wednesday June 17 return providing all safety requirements are met.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters confirmed earlier reports by saying: “Today we have provisionally agreed to resume the Premier League on Wednesday 17 June.
“But this date cannot be confirmed until we have met all the safety requirements needed, as the health and welfare of all participants and supporters is our priority.
‘’Sadly, matches will have to take place without fans in stadiums, so we are pleased to have come up with a positive solution for supporters to be able to watch all the remaining 92 matches.
“The Premier League and our clubs are proud to have incredibly passionate and loyal supporters. It is important to ensure as many people as possible can watch the matches at home.
“We will continue to work step-by-step and in consultation with all our stakeholders as we move towards resuming the 2019/20 season.”
Premier League ‘set to restart on 17 June with Arsenal clash at Man City and Aston Villa vs Sheff Utd with 1 August end’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
