Barwick pleased to settle dispute

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick welcomed "the beginning of the end of the construction phase" of Wembley after securing this season's FA Cup final at the new stadium.

An extra payment of £36million from the FA to Multiplex has been agreed after a lengthy dispute over the cost - but it will only be paid on the condition that the stadium is ready for a grand opening at the final on May 19.

"This agreement secures the process of getting the new Wembley Stadium up, running and open to the public," Barwick said. "We look forward to staging major events at the stadium next year and consider this agreement with Multiplex to represent the beginning of the end of the construction phase. Everyone's target is now to complete what will be the finest stadium in the world."

The agreement hinges on Multiplex ensuring the work is completed and sources at the construction company have confirmed the vast majority is now done.

The deal was agreed after a series of meetings between the Football Association, their subsidiary Wembley National Stadium Limited (WNSL) and the stadium builders Multiplex.

A joint statement said: "This agreement will avoid a lengthy and expensive legal dispute and all parties are committed to working together to ensure that the stadium opens for business as early as possible in 2007."