LEICESTER SET TO HOST THE SHIELD

LEICESTER’S King Power Stadium has emerged as the frontrunner to host next season’s Community Shield. A final decision is yet to be made but insiders have disclosed that the 32,261-seat venue has edged ahead of Elland Road, Villa Park, the Emirates Stadium and the London Stadium. Wembley is unavailable on July 31 because it is hosting the women’s European Championship final. If Liverpool beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final a week on Saturday, they are likely to face title rivals Manchester City in the Community Shield, which pits the FA Cup winners against the Premier League champions. In choosing an alternative to Wembley, the FA are mindful of the furore over the FA Cup semi-final between the Reds and City, which saw thousands of empty seats in the City section because the game was played on a weekend when there were no direct rail services to London from Manchester or Liverpool. At one stage it looked as if Leeds’ Elland Road, which can accommodate 37,792, was in pole position but sources have disclosed that Leicester’s slightly smaller ground is now the favourite. In 2012, Villa Park hosted the fixture when Wembley was being used for the London Olympics, and Villa were keen on a repeat this summer. They, too, are likely to be disappointed. The FA declined to comment.