MANCHESTER UNITED AND THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE CUP

Early day motion 765, tabled 28 June 1999 by Adrian Sanders (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 16 members.

That this House notes with dismay the decision of the Football Association to allow Manchester United to opt out of the Football Association Challenge Cup ending the hopes and dreams of thousands of amateur, semi-professional and professional clubs and millions of their followers for whom the FA Cup is a unique competition where the smallest can be drawn against the best; and calls on the FA to reschedule the third and, if necessary, subsequent rounds of the FA Cup and other fixtures from a period of the year where postponements due to poor weather are common in any event, in order to accommodate English participation in the World Club Championships.

Signatures by party: Labour 10, Liberal Democrat 5, Labour/Co-operative 1.