FA Cup final to take place after League season's end for the first time since 2010



The FA Cup final will be played after the conclusion of the Premier League next year, restoring the Wembley showpiece to its rightful place as the last game of the English season.

In a victory for traditionalists, the 2014 Cup final will be staged on Saturday May 17, six days after the end of the Premier League season.

It will be the first time since 2010 the Cup final has been played after the end of the league campaign.

Job done: Ben Watson sealed Wigan's victory over Manchester City in last season's final

Bolt from the blue: Watson's bullet header sailed into the top corner late in the match to seal the upset

Last season, Wigan Athletic shocked Manchester City in a Cup final played on May 11, only to then have their relegation from the Premier League confirmed by defeat to Arsenal three days later.

The change is a victory for outgoing FA Chairman David Bernstein, who has lobbied for the famous event to be returned to its traditional place in the calendar.

It is expected the kick-off time for the final will be kept at 5.15pm for a third season running in order to ensure primetime television audiences, instead of reverting to the original 3pm start.

The move has been helped by next summer’s World Cup in Brazil, as major summer competitions usually mean an early end to the Premier League so internationals can join pre-tournament training camps.



Woe: Pablo Zabaleta was sent off for a second yellow card in the final

Shock: 2011 winner David Silva was distraught after Manchester City fell to a 1-0 defeat at Wembley

Prior to the World Cup finals in 2010, the Premier League ended on May 9, as opposed to May 19 this year and May 22 in 2011.

However, regardless of whether there is a tournament or not, the Cup final will bring the curtain down on the English season every year from now on.



Victory: Outgoing FA Chairman David Bernstein (right) will be glad of the news

Season's end: Chelsea lifted the FA Cup after beating Portsmouth in the 2010 final, claiming a domestic double