Football
Mark Ogden, Senior Writer, ESPN FC 4y

FA 'reviewing options' for Cup competitions even if it means autumn final

The English Football Association is "reviewing all options" to complete this season's FA Cup competition, including an autumn final, after cancelling football at every level below the sixth tier in England and expunging all results from the records due to the coronavirus crisis.

As a result of the FA's decision, there will be no promotion or relegation in the leagues below the National League North/South.

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Despite cancelling the vast majority of semi-professional football within the English pyramid system, the FA wants to ensure that its senior cup competitions, including the FA Cup, are played to a conclusion this season even if it means pushing the final back until October.

An FA statement said: "With the 2019-20 Emirates FA Cup, Women's FA Cup, Buildbase FA Trophy and Buildbase FA Vase all at advanced stages, we are reviewing all options as we seek to complete these competitions whenever it is safe and appropriate to do so.

"Clubs involved are close to reaching a major final and for those clubs and supporters we will do all we can to keep the Wembley dream alive."

The FA Cup is currently suspended at the quarterfinal stage, with all fixtures in the last eight due to have been played on the weekend commencing March 21.

With the FA Board agreeing last week to extend the season indefinitely, having removed the June 1 deadline for all fixtures to be completed, the Premier League confirmed that all remaining top flight games will be played before the 2020-21 season begins, regardless of when the current campaign ends.

And sources have told ESPN that despite the logistical difficulties of completing all league and cup ties once football resumes after the coronavirus-enforced shutdown, the FA is determined to make sure that the FA Cup is played to a conclusion, even if that means a Cup Final in October or November.

The Premier League and EFL are currently suspended until April 30 at the earliest.

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