Cup final, EPL avert fixture clash

English Premier League (EPL) chiefs have agreed to reschedule fixtures on the penultimate weekend of the season in order to avert a clash with the FA Cup final in May, it was confirmed yesterday.

Last season a fixture pile-up caused by the Champions League final being held at Wembley meant the FA Cup final was staged alongside Premier League fixtures, taking the shine off one of the most prestigious days in the English calendar.

A similar scenario had been expected this year with more fixture congestion expected as the calendar factors in a break before Euro 2012.

However Premier League clubs have agreed to stage all fixtures in the penultimate round of games on Sunday, May 6, the day after the cup final at Wembley.

“We realise that it is not good for either competition to have our matches conflicting with the FA Cup,” Premier League communications director Dan Johnson said.

Meanwhile Premier League officials confirmed next season would begin on August 18, six days after the end of the London Olympics.