Plans to stage FA Cup final on a Wednesday

The FA Cup final could well be moved to a Wednesday night at the end of next season - despite being the most famous Saturday in the football calendar, reports claimed last night.

In a move designed to give England manager Sven-Goran Erikkson a four-week break to prepare for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, senior Football Association figures are said to have dreamt up the proposal, and even traditional members of the FA council are said to be partial to the plans.

The FA, which is keen not to scrap FA Cup replays, has already pencilled in the final as the first game at the new £757m Wembley.

The FA is certain to receive strong opposition from fans, Uefa and the police, who will not want the event to be staged on a midweek evening.

The FA is believed to see Wednesday May 10 as the best date, three days before the end of the Premiership season. The original date for the final, Saturday May 20, could change.