Post by Salem6 on Mar 27, 2007 14:34:01 GMT
The Football Association has confirmed the new £800m Wembley Stadium will host this year's FA Cup final on 19 May.
Brent Council have given the stadium a general safety certificate after two successful "ramp up" events.
A community day was staged for 34,000 people and England under-21s faced Italy in front of nearly 56,000 fans.
FA chief executive Brian Barwick said: "I'm happy to confirm that the 2007 FA Cup final, sponsored will be played at Wembley Stadium."
Barwick added: "It's the announcement that a lot of people have been waiting for and is great news for football fans in this country and indeed the world over.
"The cup final and Wembley Stadium go hand in hand and everybody at the FA is looking forward to a great day."
Wembley Stadium managing director Alex Horne said: "We're delighted with the news and I would like to thank Brent Council for their help during this process.
"We received the keys to the stadium just over a fortnight ago, since then Wembley and the FA's staff have worked incredibly hard to put on two great test events in a very short period of time.
"We realise that there is still some way to go yet and are digesting the feedback we have received in order to ensure that coming to Wembley Stadium is a fantastic experience for fans."
Brent Council chief executive Gareth Daniel said: "We are delighted to be able to hand over this safety certificate, which will allow this 90,000-seat Stadium to open, bringing back world-class music and sporting events to Wembley." The FA also announced that finals of the FA Trophy and the FA Vase will be held at Wembley on 12 and 13 May respectively, at a capped capacity - as part of the build up to the official opening on 19 May.
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6500217.stm