FA face poser over Cup final date

The Football Association face a test of their commitment to protecting England’s players from burn-out after being given an exemption from a FIFA ban on domestic matches in the four weeks before the 2006 World Cup.

FIFA today ruled the FA Cup final can be played as the opening game of the new Wembley Stadium on May 20 that year, less than three weeks before the start of the tournament in Germany.

The FA insist no firm date has yet been fixed for the final but the fact they requested the exemption from FIFA indicates May 20 is a strong possibility - something that would infuriate Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The England head coach failed in an attempt to secure a winter break and only three months ago personally pleaded with FIFA president Sepp Blatter for a minimum four-week break before the start of the 2006 World Cup.

If the FA Cup final goes ahead on May 20, that could involve many of Eriksson’s senior players and would also mean the Premier League could play up until May 14 instead of May 7.

FIFA’s executive committee have at least ratified the proposal that all domestic matches be completed by May 14, with the World Cup kicking off on June 9.

But Blatter announced two exemptions: the FA Cup final and the Champions League final, which has been brought forward a week to May 17.

Blatter said following today’s meeting of the FIFA executive committee in Zurich: “We have taken a historical and courageous decision. We saw player burn-out in 2002 and also at Euro 2004.

“All the European leagues will be stopping their competitions on May 14 at the latest to enable international players to have a week’s holiday and then be available for two and a half weeks before the tournament for preparation.

“There are exceptions: the Champions League final and the FA Cup final for the opening of the new Wembley stadium on May 20.”

FA head of media Adrian Bevington insisted the date was still under review.

He said: “At this moment there is no firm date for the Cup final and it is something that will be discussed in the near future by the FA.”

Meanwhile, FIFA’s disciplinary committee will decide tomorrow on any punishment for the Spanish football federation over the racist abuse by fans towards England players during last month’s friendly in Madrid.

Blatter also threatened disciplinary action against the 15 leagues – including the English and Scottish Premier Leagues – who are planning to form an association of European leagues based in Brussels to act as a focus for their interests.

“This is outside the statutes of FIFA and we shall intervene through the national associations to stop such a procedure,” said Blatter.

“If the national association do not take action then we will pass the matter to our disciplinary committee.”