The downgrading of the F.A. Cup, football's oldest knockout competition, continues. Saturday's final between Manchester City and Stoke City will be one of the lowest profile of all-time.
Not because the participants are not from English football's traditional elite, but because for only the third time in history there are league matches the same day.
Instead of monopolizing the spotlight, the Wembley showdown will play second fiddle to Blackburn vs. Manchester United, where Sir Alex Ferguson's team should clinch the point it needs to secure its 19th title around half an hour before the final kicks off.