Manchester United were told by English soccer chiefs yesterday they could pull out of next season's entire FA Cup competition in an effort to ease their heavy fixture list.
The English Football Association (FA) made the unprecedented offer because it wanted Alex Ferguson's side to play in the World Team Cup in Brazil in January in an effort to boost English hopes of landing the 2006 World Cup.
The FA said in a statement that the decision reflected its commitment to world soccer.
FA interim executive director David Davies said: "The executive committee have decided unanimously to offer Manchester United exemption from the FA Cup for one year, returning to the competition in the 2000-2001 season.
"For the first time, there is a competition which will produce the undisputed best club in the world and we believe that Manchester United should have the chance to be part of that.
"That is why we have worked as we have to find a solution to help them.
"We believe that it would send the worst possible signal to world football at a time when we are in the midst of the 2006 bid to turn our backs on this tournament
"This decision reflects our commitment to play a major role on the world football stage."
A statement from club solicitor and director Maurice Watkin said: "Manchester United are now considering their position in light of the FA's statement."
United, basking in the glory of last season's treble in winning the European Cup, the FA Cup and the Premier League, had faced 74 games in a chase for eight trophies next season.
Wasteful Shelbourne were left to rue a succession of missed chances as they tumbled out of the InterToto Cup to Neuchatel Xamax, losing 2-0 yesterday and by the same score on aggregate.
Shelbourne enjoyed more of the scoring opportunities but Neuchatel eased through with the help of two goals in the final 19 minutes. Forwards Gary Haylock and John Powell were guilty of missing five clear openings for the visitors in the first half alone.
Probably the best fell to Haylock who pushed his angled shot across the Neuchatel goal with only goalkeeper Florent Delay to beat.
Neuchatel stepped it up after the break as they went in search of the breakthrough. And only a timely interception from Owen Heary prevented Richard Perret from edging them in front after he had rounded keeper Steve Williams in the 53rd minute.
Goals from Seyni N'Diaye after 71 minutes and Perret eight minutes later saw the Swiss side through.
