The wonderful tradition of FA Cup finals, the 1948 Olympics, event after event focussed time and again on historic Wembley Stadium. In December 1996, it was decided that Wembley should become the official national sporting venue — and money started pouring down the bureaucratic rathole. Several years of maneuvering, whining and blathering followed. The historic twin towers came down in February 2003. Only took seven years.

You’d think they’d be playing there by now!

Here’s a timeline of what’s been happening. The original bid was settled on an Australian Company for about $555 million. The FA Cup Final in was supposed to be played in the “new” Wembley in May 2006. Presently, this year’s final is scheduled for May 19th.

Folks still aren’t certain about 2007’s Final and the cost — the cost — has risen to over $1.6 billion.

A leading British bookmaker has stopped taking bets on the 2007 English FA Cup final being staged at the new Wembley Stadium.

William Hills’ decision on Sunday came after the latest in a long line of newspaper reports claiming safety checks would not be completed in time for the May 19 match.

That would mean the game being staged at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, which has staged every FA Cup final since 2001 while Wembley was redeveloped.

Millenium Stadium in Cardiff cost the Welsh $200 million — came in on time and budget.