HL Deb 22 July 1999 vol 604 cc128-9WA
Lord Morris of Manchester

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What discussions Ministers have had with the Football Association or football clubs in relation to Manchester United's participation in next year's FA Cup; and whether, and for what reason, they made any request or expressed any view about whether the club should participate in the competition. [HL3644]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

Last month Football Association and FA Premier League representatives, together with my honourable friend the Minister for Sport, held detailed discussions with Sir Roland Smith, Martin Edwards, and Peter Kenyon of Manchester United concerning the fixture congestion problems arising from the club's involvement in the inaugural FIFA Club World Championship next January.

The Government recognise that Manchester United's involvement in the Club World Championship will help the Football Association to develop further its ties with FIFA, its support for the game worldwide, and its bid to stage the 2006 World Cup in this country. We also accept, however, that the club's exemption from next season's FA Cup was ultimately something which only the FA could offer and only the Manchester United Board could decide to accept. Naturally, we would prefer Manchester United to play in both the FA Cup and the Club World Championship if at all possible. Even at this late stage, we very much hope that a way can be found to achieve this.