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Last Updated: Monday, 30 January 2006, 18:12 GMT
Stadium 'ready' for FA Cup switch
Cardiff's Millennium Stadium

The management of the Millennium Stadium say the venue is ready to stage the FA Cup final if the new Wembley Stadium is not completed on time.

Multiplex, which is constructing Wembley, said there was a 70% chance it would be ready for the 13 May game.

The Millennium Stadium is provisionally booked for the showpiece match.

Stadium chief executive Paul Sergeant said the uncertainty "put pressure" on the stadium but added he was not "hounding" the FA to make a decision.

First game

Cardiff has hosted every FA Cup final since Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Arsenal in 2001 while Wembley was being rebuilt.

The stadium has also staged the finals of the Carling Cup, Football League play-offs, LDV Vans Trophy and rugby league's challenge cup.

Arsenal celebrate winning the 2005 FA Cup final
It was expected that the 2005 final would be the last in Cardiff

The 2006 FA Cup final was to have been the first game played at the new Wembley Stadium, but Australian construction firm Multiplex admitted on Monday that could not afford any further delays if it was to meet the project deadline.

BBC Sport understands the Football Association doubts whether Wembley will be ready in time.

The Millennium Stadium has been provisionally booked by the FA for several months to stage the showpiece game if necessary.

Chief executive Paul Sergeant said the venue would be ready even if notified "at the 11th hour" but said management there would prefer "as much notice as possible".

'Major-event venue'

He added: "The stadium has been provisionally booked for some months, which is a prudent measure by the FA.

"The uncertainty puts the pressure on a bit but we are a major-event venue and have the experience of five FA Cup finals - it won't be new to us.

Wembley Stadium under construction
It is unclear if the new Wembley Stadium will be finished by May

"The more notice you have the better when it's a major event like the FA Cup final.

"But we have to be realistic about the FA's current situation - if it drags on for a few more weeks, then that's life.

"We are not hounding them."

Mr Sergeant added that Cardiff was also likely to host the Football League play-off finals - staged this season over two weekends - on 21, 27 and 28 May if it was given the FA Cup final.

Those dates have also been provisionally booked at the stadium.

A Cardiff retail organisation welcomed the possibility of the city staging an unexpected sixth FA Cup final saying it brought major economic benefits.

David Hughes-Lewis, chair of Cardiff Retail Partnership, said: "It brings somewhere in the region of �15m into the city over the weekend period.

"Obviously, the hotels, the pubs, the restaurants, they're the big ones to benefit, and the retailers pay a bit of price, but at the end of the day it's the city that benefits and really that's what it's all about - putting Cardiff on the map."

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SEE ALSO:
Wembley may miss FA Cup deadline
30 Jan 06 |  Football
Wembley chief's Cup final doubts
11 Nov 05 |  Football
FA books Cardiff as final back-up
14 Aug 05 |  Football


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