West Ham United has been "left relying" on ManU to beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on Satuday, according to Jack Staplehurst of the London EXPRESS. If ManU "see off Alan Pardew's team then seventh-placed West Ham will be playing European football next term." However, West Ham would "enter the Europa League early again at the third qualifying round which is scheduled for July." The "big problem" West Ham faces with its potential July fixture relates to its "new home at the Olympic Stadium." A friendly with Serie A side Juventus "has been organised as the venue's first game for West Ham" on Aug. 7. But the third qualifying round legs "are set to take place" on July 28 and Aug. 4. If the club draws at home first, it faces a "massive dilemma" -- because the Olympic Stadium will not be ready. UK Athletics has "exclusive priority to the sports venue" up until Aug. 1, with events also scheduled between Aug. 22-24. The stadium "takes seven days to transfer back into a football ground, which would not leave West Ham with enough time for a home first leg tie." As a result, West Ham must "either find an alternative venue to play the match," or it will have to "ask UEFA for special permission to change a home first leg for an away one if drawn that way" (EXPRESS, 5/19).
