The 2019/20 FA Cup final could take place as late as October, as the FA continue to do all it can to work towards finishing the competition.
Both men's and women's competitions are at the quarter-final stage at present, and a statement from the association on Thursday committed to fulfilling the remaining fixtures when it is 'safe and appropriate' to do so.
The statement reads: "
We've issued a statement on how the 2019-20 season will be concluded in light of the COVID-19 pandemic: https://t.co/5DWXAmE1kW
— The FA (@FA) March 26, 2020
"In respect of The FA Youth Cup, The FA County Youth Cup, The FA Sunday Cup and The FA Inter-League Cup, we are also seeking to complete these competitions if it is feasible to do so.
"We will also continue planning for FA competitions to take place for the 2020-21 season."
But while that keeps it vague with regards to dates, The Mirror are reporting that it could be as late as October before the men's final is able to be played.
The FA are believed to be exploring all possibilities to get the competition concluded, but the Premier League is facing a squeeze to fit all of its remaining fixtures while the Covid-19 pandemic continues to hold the football calendar hostage.
English football is technically only postponed until 30 April but it is extremely unlikely that the virus will have subsided by then, with the reported return date of 1 June a much more realistic - though still ambitious - target.
The logistical challenges, then, of fitting nine full rounds of fixtures into just a few weeks to allow clubs a short pre-season, are clear - even more-so if eight top-flight clubs have quarter-final fixtures to play.
Source : 90min