Could Liverpool and Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final be moved away from Wembley?
- Planet Sport writer
- 22 March 2022
The two teams are set to meet at Wembley for their semi-final clash on April 16, but complaints have poured in from fans, with no trains running from the north west over that weekend.
Supporter groups from both clubs have complained about how fans are meant to access the capital over the Easter weekend, with no direct trains running due to engineering works.
The kick-off time is yet to be scheduled for the match, and the venue could yet change in the coming days.
Following the complaints, Andy Burnham and Steve Rotherham - the mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool - have submitted a joint letter to the FA supporting the call for a venue change.
The pair encouraged the sporting organisation to rethink the semi-final's location, and offered to help facilitate a venue change.
We’re calling on the @FA to listen to supporters & move the #MCFC v #LFC semi-final north.👇🏻@MetroMayorSteve@WeAre1894@spiritofshankly pic.twitter.com/tUnQQPrVdc
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) March 22, 2022
The letter read: "Without quick, direct trains, many people will be left with no option but to drive, fly, make overly complex rail journeys or book overnight accommodation.
"When you factor in the rising costs of fuel, it is clear that supporters of both clubs attending this game will face excessive cost and inconvenience - and that is before any environmental impact is considered.
"There are also significant logistical and safety considerations. With thousands of fans making the long journey south, there will be huge numbers converging on the M6, which is likely to be stretched to capacity by bank holiday traffic. A single accident would risk the entire motorway being brought to a standstill and fans missing the kick-off.
"Over the last year, we have heard the slogan 'football without fans is nothing' many times. If this decision is left to stand, and people are either priced out of this game or unable to attend for other reasons, those words will be meaningless to many.
"We believe the most obvious solution is to move the game to a more accessible stadium and offer to work constructively with you to make that happen."
The FA are yet to respond, but they did state on Monday that they were working with both clubs and transport bodies to ensure fans would be able to get to and from Wembley.
Their statement read, "The FA will be liaising closely with both Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC on all match arrangements, including supporters travel for the upcoming Emirates FA Cup semi-final fixture at Wembley Stadium.
"We are also continuing to work with both Network Rail and National Express to find a solution so that supporters of both teams are able to travel to and from the fixture with as minimal disruption as possible."
If the calls for relocation are answered by the FA, Old Trafford, Villa Park and Goodison Park are among the venues likely to be considered.
