FA Cup replays remain
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-25 10:29

Sven-Goran Eriksson's England players will get a four-week break before the 2006 World Cup, should they qualify.

The Football Association said on Thursday that next year's FA Cup final at the re-built Wembley Stadium -- the official opening match of the new 757 million pound complex -- would take place on Saturday, May 13, five years since the last match played at the old stadium in October 2000.

It will be the last game of the domestic season, excepting the lower league playoffs, and will give England coach Eriksson a four-week preparation period.

"The solution is in the widest-possible interests of English football in the World Cup year of 2006," the FA said in a statement.

The FA also said it would not, after all, scrap replays in the latter stages of next season's FA Cup competition, but that the quarter-finals would now be played in midweek.

Earlier this month the FA said that there would be no replays in the fifth and sixth rounds next season if the matches involved clubs still playing in European competition.

The games were to be settled "on the day" using extra time and penalties if necessary but will now be allowed to go to a second match.

Close

Yao Ming VS Shaq O'Neal Real edge past Malaga 1-0 T-Wolves beat Rockets 94-86

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
Cross-Straits ties threatened by protest         Kim invites Chinese president for a visit         Kyrgyzstan gov't collapses after protest         Higher oil prices fuel tax-for-fee reform         UK accuse US of grave rights violations         TOEFL ups the ante with online tests	Athletics: IAAF Grand Prix come to Shanghai       Beijing soccer club to change name       Olympics: Beijing stresses anti-terrorism       T-Wolves lose forward for the season       Pistons to host Pacers, months after brawl       FA Cup replays remain