Footie chiefs forced to draw up emergency plans for FA Cup final in case Leicester or Coventry reach Wembley showpiece
FOOTBALL chiefs have been forced to draw up emergency plans for the FA Cup final due to two Championship teams reaching the quarter-finals.
The final of the FA Cup is set to be played on Saturday May 25 with the Championship play-off final coming a day later.
With both Leicester and Coventry still in the FA cup, they would in theory face the prospect of playing two finals in the space of 24 hours at Wembley – which would be impossible.
Leicester are currently first in the Championship, but only four points ahead of Ipswich who are in a play-off spot – meaning it’s entirely possible they finish in a play-off position.
They play Chelsea in the FA Cup this weekend and will fancy their chances of an upset given the Blues’ recent form.
Likewise, Coventry are eighth in the Championship but are just one point off sixth placed Norwich.
They take on Wolves in the FA Cup on Saturday with a place in the semi-final up for grabs.
The Mirror report that football chiefs are considering a date switch for the play-off final as a result of both Coventry and Leicester’s cup runs.
The play-off final is regarded as one of the most important games in the football calendar and is referred to as football’s £100million game.
Bosses would therefore be reluctant to move the game but it could become a necessity.
CHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL
Extra dates at Wembley have been pencilled-in should Leicester or Coventry go all the way.
Complicating things is the fact that the national stadium will be hosting the Champions League final on Saturday June 1.
Part of the requirements for hosting a Champions League final sees a stadium effectively handed over to UEFA in the days before and after the final.
This has already seen the England national team be forced to move one of their Euro 2024 warm-up friendlies from Wembley.
Their game against Bosnia and Herzegovina had been scheduled to take place in the North-West London venue on June 3 but will now be played at St James’ Park.