EPL kick-off could be delayed for 2012 Games

The start of the English football season could be delayed so it does not clash with the 2012 London Olympic Games, organisers said on Thursday.

Paul Deighton, chief executive of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, said talks had taken place to ensure that the Games would not overlap with other major sporting events in Britain, such as the English Premier League or Test cricket.

Part of the agreement with the International Olympic Committee when London won the right to host the Games was that there should not be such clashes.

“I can confirm that we have been in discussions with all the sports bodies responsible for the schedules in the UK in 2012 and we are on track to meet that obligation,” Deighton told a press conference.

Asked if that meant the Premier League holding back the start of the season, he replied: “Yes.”

The Games are scheduled to run from July 27 to August 12, 2012.

The FA Community Shield – the traditional curtain-raiser to the season, featuring the Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners at Wembley – takes place this year on August 8.

This season’s Premier League kicks off on August 14.

Wembley will be an Olympic venue, while the home grounds of Scotland, Wales, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Coventry City are the other Olympic football venues.