League and FA reach agreement on 2013 Play-Offs
The Football League and Football Association have reached agreement regarding the scheduling of the 2012/13 npower Football League Play-Off Finals at Wembley Stadium.
The two bodies had been in discussions regarding the re-dating of the matches following confirmation in June that Wembley would stage the 2013 UEFA Champions League Final (on Saturday, May 25).
As a result, the npower League 1 and npower League 2 Play-Off Finals will move forward 7 days to the weekend of May 18/19 with the ‘regular’ season finishing a week earlier in both divisions. The npower Championship Play-Off Final will remain on its original date of Monday, May 27.
Football League Chairman, Greg Clarke, said: “I would like to thank FA Chairman, David Bernstein, for the professional and efficient manner in which these discussions have been handled.
“While The Football League’s preferred option is always to stage the Play-Offs across the Bank Holiday weekend, we recognise that hosting the Champions League Final is a great opportunity for English football.
“However, it does have ramifications for clubs in npower League 1 and npower League 2 and it is only right, therefore, that they share in the financial success of that event. This agreement ensures that they will.”
The FA’s Chairman David Bernstein said: ”We are very pleased to have found a solution which allows the UEFA Champions League Final and all three Football League Play-Off Finals to be played at Wembley in 2013.
The Football League is an extremely important partner of ours and it is thanks to their cooperation and the support of both Leagues 1 and 2 that we have been able to resolve this matter. These will be fantastic and very important fixtures in The FA’s 150th anniversary year.”