Multiplex issues statement confirming that FA will transfer the FA Cup Final to Cardiff due to delays.

Wembley will not stage the FA Cup Final on 13 May due to the catalogue of delays in its construction, the FA will announce today.

Multiplex has issued a statement to the Australian stock exchange confirming that the FA will transfer the event to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick and other senior FA figures yesterday toured the stadium with Multiplex managing director Martin Tidd and Michael Gunnah, the stadium's chief executive.

Barwick decided following the tour that the final would switch to Cardiff. He is expected to formally announce the decision later today.

Multiplex said that it was "disappointed" with the decision, but would continue to aim for its completion "at the earliest possible date".

The news follows a series of disputes with subcontractors and technical problems with the construction of the stadium.

In the latest crisis, Building revealed last week that Multiplex was carrying out remedial works on the drainage system, which risked flooding the walkway with sewage.

Multiplex admitted in January that it had only a 70% chance of completing the stadium by its handover deadline of 31 March.

At the time, Tidd said that the project would have to run "as smoothly as a Swiss watch" to hit that target.