This archive report was first published on 21 May 2020.
On May 21, 2020, the Football Association reaffirmed its commitment to completing the FA Cup, despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The FA's chief executive, Mark Bullingham, informed FA Council members that the intention remains to wrap up the knockout competition alongside Premier League action.
However, the possibility of the cup final being the last domestic match in the 2019-20 season was left open.
The competition had reached the quarter-final stage when professional football was suspended on March 13, 2020.
Bullingham proposed playing the quarter-finals on a home-and-away basis, subject to approval from the Government and emergency services.
He also suggested that the semi-finals and final would be held behind closed doors at Wembley.
The FA estimated that the costs of the pandemic would run into hundreds of millions of pounds across the FA, the Premier League, and the EFL if the season cannot be completed.
FA chairman Greg Clarke expressed concerns that fans may not be allowed back into grounds due to social distancing requirements for most or potentially all of next season.
He emphasized the need to support clubs in the football pyramid to effectively 'hibernate' until supporters return to provide them with the matchday revenue they need to survive.
Former referee David Elleray, now technical director of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), briefed the FA Council on changes to the laws of the game for the 2020-21 season.
