The FA Cup has been provisionally rescheduled to return next at the end of next month, with the final set to be held on August 1.
The competition has been suspended since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, though will return next month with the quarter-finals of the tournament due to be held on June 27-28.
Much of the focus for English football in recent weeks has been discussions over a return for the Premier League, talks which have resulted in a date of June 17 being confirmed for the season’s behind-closed-doors return.
The FA have now announced that the world’s oldest national competition will also be completed, beginning with last eight fixtures in late June, semi-final ties on the weekend of July 11-12 and the final to be played on Saturday August 1.
????????????????????????????????????????????????????@Arsenal became the most successful club in #EmiratesFACup history on this day in 2017 ✨ pic.twitter.com/Co3parGErN
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 27, 2020
No details have yet been released over kick-off times for matches or venues, with the semi-finals and final usually held at Wembley.
Speaking on the announcement, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “We are pleased to agree the provisional restart date for the 2019-20 Emirates FA Cup.
“The competition has been an integral part of the English football calendar for nearly 150 years, and we’d like to thank the Premier League executive and clubs for their support in scheduling the remaining matches during this unprecedented time.
“This has been a difficult period for many people and, while this is a positive step, the restart date is dependent on all safety measures being met. The health and wellbeing of players, staff and supporters remains our priority.”
Holders Manchester City are due to play Newcastle in the quarter-finals, while 13 time winners Arsenal face Sheffield United. Manchester United will host Norwich in the last eight while Chelsea head to Leicester.
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