Wembley unveils ad in stadium fight

Although Carter is thought to have been given a clear remit to make Wembley work, the GLA and Brent have been shaken by his direct approach.

Ultimately, however, it is down to the Football Association, who own Wembley National Stadium Ltd, to decide the next step after Carter's report. They are close to tying up a deal with building contractors Multiplex, which will see the Australian company build the stadium and then lease it back to the FA.

If that deal removes the need for Government money - the review was launched only after FA chief executive Adam Crozier asked for £150million to prop the scheme up in May - then the Government would find it difficult to change the location of the stadium.

Despite that, politicians and celebrities in Birmingham have been mounting an increasingly aggressive campaign in recent weeks in an effort to persuade Carter and the Government to ditch Wembley.

So just to remind ministers why Wembley was chosen during the initial competition for the national stadium in 1996, the GLA have launched the advert to jog their memory.

They highlight the 20,000 jobs that Wembley will create, transport improvements and more than £500m of investment that will be lost if it is scrapped.

Livingstone said: "Wembley is already a world-famous name and has helped to maintain Britain's international reputation as the home of football.

"It is the highlight of any footballer's career to play at Wembley and it is unthinkable that the magic that is Wembley could be transferred to another location."