The circumstances that led the Football Association in England to consider shifting the 2006 FA Cup final to a Wednesday night emphasise two uncomfortable facts of modern football life. First, the fixture list is filled to bursting point, and second, the Premier League's influence is unmatched.
In agreeing to Sven-Goran Eriksson's request for a four-week break to prepare his players for the 2006 World Cup finals the FA board made a commendable, common-sense decision. At the last two major tournaments England's quarter-final failures have been those of a tired team.
With all England's major European rivals guaranteed a four-week break thanks to FIFA's ruling that all domestic fixtures must conclude by May 13th, Eriksson was justified in calling in a favour. Key figures in the FA are also keen to ensure he has every chance of succeeding.
What Eriksson may not have known when he asked for the dispensation is the FA had already asked for - and received - permission from FIFA for the Cup final to be played on May 20th. Shifting the match forward a week to May 13th, the scheduled conclusion of the Premier League, is easier said than done. To do so without affecting either the format or tradition of the FA Cup requires Premier League assistance and, despite the presence of four Premier League chairmen on the FA board that made the decision, that will not be forthcoming.
The FA's chief executive Brian Barwick met Richard Scudamore, his opposite number at the Premier League, and the Football League chairman Brian Mawhinney for the first time yesterday, and both assured him they would cooperate fully to try to find a solution.
The reality is Barwick is on his own. A combination of broadcast contracts and a feeling that it is being asked to accommodate another shambles created in Soho Square mean the Premier League is neither able nor willing to compromise, and an alteration to the FA Cup seems the only option.
There is no chance of the Premiership kicking off a week early, not least because the Football League is reluctant to have its opening day overshadowed. The Premiership won't countenance shifting a round of weekend fixtures to a midweek slot vacated by the cancellation of an England friendly, because it is contracted for 32 weekend rounds.
That leaves the FA with two options. The first is to cancel fifth-round replays, then play the quarter-finals in the midweek slot reserved for them, freeing a weekend in February for Premiership fixtures. The second is to move the Cup final to Wednesday, May 11th.
