London 2012 forces football season opener to move

AP, Tuesday 15 Feb 2011

The traditional curtain raiser to the English football season will be moved from Wembley Stadium in 2012 because of the London Olympics

Chelsea
(Photo: AP)

The men's Olympic football final will be played at Wembley on Aug. 11. The Football Association wants to stage the Community Shield as planned the following day so the match between the Premier League champions and FA Cup holders will have to be played outside of London.

The FA says "the Community Shield will take place at the traditional time at a prestigious stadium in England." Old Trafford, which is staging its last Olympic game on Aug. 7, is the second largest stadium in England.

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