Following reporting of the Commons Select Committee hearing yesterday we would like to clarify the current position, on the National Stadium project, on behalf of The F.A. and WNSL.

We can confirm that we will be signing a "heads of agreement" and exclusive mandate with WestLB in the next seven days which will agree the overall financial structure of the project.

We would then expect to complete all the financial contracts some time within the next ten weeks.

All other terms, laid down by the Secretary of State, have been met and we would hope to proceed with the new Stadium from there.

A great deal of progress has been made over the last few months in order to get us to this point.

o A clear business plan, supported by in-depth market research, has been undertaken by WNSL and approved and has been successfully through the banking due diligence programme.

o 20/30-year agreements are now in place from all the key event owners, which provides the ongoing content to support the business plan.

o There is now clearly defined support from The F.A. and the other major stakeholders with clear commitments.

o The project cost has been subject to rigorous value engineering to ensure it supports the business plan at minimum cost.

o Terms have been agreed by WNSL for a fixed price construction contract where any risk of cost or time over-run is borne by the contractor. This includes the additional costs associated with financing.

o The construction contract has been subject to a review by independent construction cost consultants which unequivocally states that it provides value for money in itself and versus other similar projects around the world.

o A new board has been put in place composed of individuals with the relevant experience to deliver the project and the business plan

o The project has been subject to gateway review by the Office of Government and Commerce which concluded that it was well resourced, managed, viable and should proceed to contractual completion.

o There has been an independent review of the proposed new Athletics platform provision which is supported by the IAAF and UK Athletics and is quicker, cheaper and technically better than previous proposals.

o The F.A. is committed to the concept of a National Stadium, including Athletics. The concept is similar to that which New York is proposing in its bid for 2012 Olympics and we look forward to hosting Athletics events in the future.

o In terms of financing WNSL have been working with many firms within the banking community which ultimately led to the selection of a preferred partner.

o WNSL's preferred partner is WestLB and it has a written offer of finance approved by the WestLB board, the outline terms of which have been agreed in principle by The F.A. board who are providing finance for the project.

Whilst there has been much speculation regarding a return to the old stadium it should be remembered that, subject to discussion between all stakeholders, this would only be one of several options available to us including Birmingham.

All parties have recognised that in the event that the Birmingham proposals were to be considered and proved viable it would be necessary to conclude an event staging agreement in relation to the new Stadium once current legal commitments relating to the National Stadium project at Wembley had been concluded in a way that satisfied all parties.

However, all stakeholders are clearly focussed on delivering a world class National Stadium for Football, Rugby and Athletics which provides fans of all sports with a Stadium they deserve.

So much has been achieved over the last few months that we fundamentally believe that everyone should stop looking backwards. Let's just get on with it.

Adam Crozier has today written to Paul Spooner, the Project Director of the Birmingham and Solihull English National Stadium Project. Click on the first link below to view the full text of this letter.

The text of The Football Association's submission to the Commons Culture, Media and Sport slect Committee is also available, by clicking on the second link below.