David Moyes has spoken out against the use of Wembley for the FA Cup semi-finals. Although Everton fans have not made the pilgrimage to the home of English football for several years, he feels that Wembley should only be used for the final.
He has a point. There is something extra-special about watching your beloved team in a final at the Wembley, whether that be the FA Cup, Champions League or League Two play-off. Playing the semis there undoubtedly devalues that experience.
The impact for the ordinary fan is considerable. Let’s consider the semi final that pits Manchester United against Everton. Putting aside the tiresome cliché that you won’t find any United fans in Manchester, both sets of supporters will be facing up to a serious commute to the capital.
We don’t need Robert Peston to tell us that times are tough right now. One would imagine that a round trip to London for the family would be a bridge too far for many fans. To play a match in the south featuring two Northern teams simply makes no practical sense.
If the fans acted with their feet, and a low attendance resulted, then maybe the authorities would get the message. However, the FA knows full well that they will have no problem filling Wembley, especially given the quality of teams involved. Sometimes our national obsession allows liberties to be taken, and that is a shame.
The real reason behind the scheduling reveals a lot about the FA’s priorities.
Before the rebuilding, FA Cup semi finals traditionally took place at neutral venues such as Villa Park and Old Trafford. But since the new Wembley opened, the FA are keen to get their pound of flesh, not least because the project appeared to go way over budget.
So while they attempt to recoup losses that were caused by their own ill planning, it is the honest fan in the street who pays the price.
[...] Andrew Walker has already evaluated the wisdom/motivation behind holding the semis at Wembley at all. [...]