British media reported that FA CEO Mark Bullingham discussed with the Federation Council on May 21 about the future of the 2019/20 FA Cup. The consensus is still to try to complete the tournament, in parallel with the Premier League.
"If the Premier League goes smoothly, we will try our best to complete the FA Cup. Currently, the tournament does not have a specific plan for the time of resuming competition, everything is still on the plan," Islington Gazette quoted Mr. Mark Bullingham as saying.
Before being delayed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FA Cup reached the quarter-finals with 4 determined matches including: Leicester - Chelsea, Man City - Newcastle, Arsenal - Sheffield United, M.U - Norwich. If held, the council will still maintain its opinion on organizing on a closed field. The final will be played "knocked" at Wembley Stadium. Of course, this option would require UK approval.
According to British media, the cost of organizing the tournament is also an issue mentioned by FA President Greg Clarke. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the plans to increase the revenue of hundreds of millions of pounds of the English Football Association "evaporate", even the Premier League and EFL will find it difficult to complete. Therefore, organizing the FA Cup is considered a "burden" that needs to be carefully calculated and handled.
The FA Cup is the oldest competition in English football, dating back to 1871. Arsenal are the team with the record for the most wins in this arena: 13 times.
