Leeds United's hopes of taking part in next season's Community Shield have reportedly been handed a blow.
If they had won the Championship, the Whites had been mooted as a potential opponent for Liverpool in the traditional season curtain-raiser.
The three-month coronavirus shutdown has played havoc with the football calendar and next season's start date has yet to be confirmed but the FA are still keen to hold the game in order to avoid paying a rebate to broadcasters.
Yet their plans have been impacted by UEFA's scheduling of the Europa and Champions League.
The Community Shield is anticipated to be held at some point in August - potentially August 30 - which means it could clash with UEFA's tournaments.
With three FA Cup semi-finalists - Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea - all still involved in European competitions, they may not be available for the proposed date of the Community Shield.
The finals of the European competitions are set to take place a week before the Community Shield.
That had led to reports last week that the winners of the Championship - likely to be either Leeds or West Brom - may well be invited to face Premier League champions Liverpool in a one-off game.
Yet the Daily Mail report that the FA's preferred option if the FA Cup winners are unavailable is to invite the most successful club in the Community Shield's history to take part.
Arsenal, who are the other FA Cup semi-finalists, have lifted the trophy 15 times, which would mean they would be the side to face Liverpool at Wembley.
Coincidentally, the Gunners were the last team to decline an invite to the Community Shield when they opted instead to play lucrative friendly matches in 1971.
If the reports are correct, it would end any hopes Leeds had of appearing in the game, due to the fact Arsenal are not involved in Europe.
