London 2012 Forces Soccer Season Opener To Move

LONDON (AP) - The traditional curtain raiser to the English soccer season will be moved from Wembley Stadium in 2012 because of the London Olympics.

The men's Olympic soccer final will be played at Wembley on Aug. 11. The Football Association wants to stage the Community Shield as planned the following day, so the match between the Premier League champion and FA Cup winner will be played outside of London.

The FA says "the Community Shield will take place at the traditional time at a prestigious stadium in England."

Old Trafford, which is staging its last Olympic game on Aug. 7, is the second-largest stadium in England.