Football Association & Premier League in talks to avoid clash between FA Cup final and Premier League matches

The FA and the Premier League are currently in talks in an attempt to avoid the FA Cup final clashing with Premier League matches.

Last season's showpiece match was held as four Premier League matches took place, Manchester City eventually winning the Cup as their city rivals Manchester United wrapped up the League title at the same time.

FA general secretary Alex Horne revealed that negotiations are ongoing to ensure that the Cup final can return to being a stand alone game.

"We're talking to the Premier League about whether there's a way to create a Saturday when the FA Cup can stand on its own," Horne told BBC Sport.

"We have a situation with international player release, and particularly, in 2013 when the Uefa Champions League final is to be played at Wembley, where we know it can't be the last game of the season.

"It won't be the last Saturday of the season but I think we can achieve a situation where it's on its own on a Saturday and I think it's important it's given that space."

The FA Cup final is currently scheduled for the 5th of May, with a full round of Premier League games also scheduled for the weekend with the League contractually obliged to hold a match at 1245 GMT on that day on Sky Sports, while Horne revealed that the cup final's kick-off time was likely to change from the planned 1500 GMT as a solution.

He continued: "We're talking about moving [the final] to an early evening slot and I think what that does is enable all of the football that's played across the country at 3pm on a Saturday not to be affected by the FA Cup final so that the supporters watching and playing in their local games can get back and enjoy the FA Cup or stay in their club houses.

"What's interesting is that we're seeing very strong numbers from our overseas TV deals and we need to follow that up with interest and affection for the competition.

"What this report reveals is the huge financial incentives for teams participating in the FA Cup. You only have to look at Crawley Town last season, who earned £1m from a single game against Manchester United, a truly phenomenal amount of money for a then non-league football club."

Malcolm Clark, chairman of the Football Supporters Federation, described his pleasure at the talks to make the Cup final a stand alone game, but fired a warning over fans' potential travel plans, particularly from the north of England.

"We would like to see a 3pm kick-off on a dedicated Saturday remain. But we understand that the FA and the TV companies are keen to increase the audience by moving it to early evening" said Clark.

"Our concern though is that an early evening kick-off will cause significant travel issues for fans attending the final. It's not a problem to get home from Wembley for fans of say Chelsea or Tottenham. But supporters from northern clubs will face issues."

"We'd like to see the FA talking to rail and bus companies about the availability of transport after the Cup final has finished."

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