FA unveil brand new tournament featuring several ex-England stars

The Football Association are launching a new five-a-side tournament that will provide an opportunity for former professionals and non-league stars to play together with local community heroes

The Football Association is launching a new five-a-side tournament that will include former England internationals. The likes of former Tottenham and Sunderland star Jermain Defoe will lace up his boots once again to compete in the coming weeks.

With the finalists of the FA Cup now decided, after wins for Manchester City and Crystal Palace, Wembley is primed for its showpiece event. And while the pair will battle it out for their last chance at domestic silverware this season, tournament sponsors Emirates will launch a new competition.

Four teams are set to play in a tournament based at St George’s Park, according to reports. The home of the FA and England’s national team setup will play host to former professionals, non-league stars, influencers and community heroes.

And that will see a number of England internationals return to the pitch. Three former Three Lions star will each will be taking on leadership of a team, with an ex-Nigeria international taking on a fourth.

Defoe will be joined by goalkeeper-turned-YouTube star Ben Foster, former Chelsea and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, and ex- Newcastle United forward Shola Ameobi. They will be linked to Emirates Flight Hubs in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle.

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Those hubs will also be linked to destinations in Indonesia, Dubai, Thailand and Cambodia. That could prove particularly interesting to the players involved as prizes await.

The tournament’s top goalscorer and best player could find themselves winning an enticing reward. Winners of those awards could end up being gifted a flight to their corresponding country.

No date for the competition has been confirmed, though it is expected to be be streamed live on YouTube. The FA Cup final takes place on May 17.

The kick-off time for the showpiece event has yet to be confirmed. The BBC however are said to be lobbying for a 3pm start due to the Eurovision Song Contest being scheduled for the same date.

The final will see no conflict from Premier League action this year. The top-flight fixtures will all take place either side of City’s match with Palace.

Chelsea are scheduled to take on Manchester United on the preceding Friday evening, with the remaining fixtures to take place on the Sunday following.

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