Sports and rock fans are to be denied more than 20 major events at the new £757 million Wembley stadium until next year after the developer Multiplex said the project will be further delayed.

Wembley National Stadium Limited, which was due to be handed London's premier 90,000-seat event stadium today, confirmed that it will not be fully operational until next year.

The project, which has already missed three deadlines, is now unlikely to be finished by September and then face a further two months of preparation and testing. Developers Multiplex warned late last night that they may not finish until the autumn.

Wembley Stadium chief executive, Michael Cunnah, said this morning: "We share everyone’s disappointment at Multiplex's announcement today of a further delay in the completion of the stadium. Their revised construction schedule leaves us with no other choice but to make this decision. However, this does not detract from our focus and determination to deliver a world-class stadium. We have an over-riding responsibility and duty to ensure that the stadium is completed to the highest standards of safety and quality."

The Football Association said the Community Shield - English soccer's traditional season opener - and three England games will be moved to other venues.

The FA said in a statement: "It is clear that the construction of Wembley Stadium is significantly behind schedule, it is apparent that Wembley will not be available to host our autumn fixtures."

The FA said it preferred to put off any matches until next year to avoid constant speculation on whether the stadium will be ready.

Ther action means that the first match likely to be played at Wembley is now likely to be England's friendly against as yet unconfirmed opposition in February 2007, nine months later than the original planned new Wembley opener - this year's FA Cup final on May 13.

Cardiff is now likely to host the Community Shield and the internationals are likely to be played at Old Trafford. The FA have already announced that the FA Cup final will be at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Twickenham, the headquarters of rugby union in England, will host the Challenge Cup final. About 35,000 Challenge Cup final tickets have been sold, with many fans having already booked hotel rooms in London.

Bon Jovi's gigs on June 10 and 11 and Take That's shows on June 24 and 25 will take place at the Milton Keynes Bowl.

The Rolling Stones are hoping to find an alternative London venue, while there is doubt over five Robbie Williams concerts in September.

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