Another wait for Wembley

Wembley was today confirmed as the preferred site for the new national stadium, but the plans have not been finalised.

Years of bickering and in-fighting led to the near-collapse of the national stadium project, and was followed by a six-month review which has ended with the Football Association, Sport England and the Government deciding to go with an amended design of Wembley.

The announcement was made by Football Association chief executive Adam Crozier, who said it was hoped to finalise plans "by the end of April".

But the sport secretary, Tessa Jowell, told the Commons that if the Wembley plans failed "proposals from Birmingham" should be put forward.

Ms Jowell added that the FA accepted, as did the Government, that it remained a possible outcome that no national stadium at all will be developed.