MY ACCOUNT
The mayors of both Manchester and Liverpool have joined calls for Manchester City and Liverpool’s FA Cup semi-final next month to be moved away from Wembley.
Pep Guardiola’s Citizens and Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are set to face off across the weekend of April 16/17 for a place in the final of football’s oldest knockout tournament.
Yet supporters of the two Premier League and Champions League title rivals have pushed for the match to be shifted to an alternative location over logistical concerns.
Now, Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, and Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram have issued a joint statement calling for the FA to heed such requests in the face of multiple issues.
“Over the last year, we have heard the slogan ‘football without fans is nothing’ many times,” the pair stated.
“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.
“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.”
City and Liverpool’s semi-final clash will be the second meeting between the two in the space of a week, with the pair set to meet in the Premier League on April 10.
