Fans plead for FA Cup changes as empty seats at Wembley spoil Man City’s triumph

On Apr 22, 2023

Football fans across the country are calling for the FA Cup semi-finals to be moved away from Wembley after swathes of empty seats were spotted during Manchester City’s Saturday afternoon rout of Sheffield United.

Pep Guardiola’s side booked their spot in the FA Cup final with a routine win over the Blades, inspired by a Riyad Mahrez hat-trick that saw them best Sheffield United 3-0.

However, the empty seats for the showcase semi-final were clear for all to see.

While Wembley is a 90,000 seater stadium, the official attendance for Man City’s clash with Sheffield United was 69,602 meaning over 20,000 seats were left empty.

With both sides having to travel down from the north to be at Wembley, the empty seats reinforced the idea the landmark occasion should be moved in the event that the two teams could play their semi-final closer to home at a neutral venue in order to ensure maximum attendance.

The empty Wembley seats have drawn calls from fans for the FA Cup semi-finals to be moved away from London
(Image: Twitter/@noellyt73)

In the past, the FA Cup semi-finals used to take place at Villa Park or Old Trafford before they were then moved to Wembley in 2008.

And fans across the country want to see the semi-finals moved away from Wembley in the future, which would allow fans a better chance at attending, whilst also ensuring they don’t have to fork out for a trip down to London.

Do you think the FA Cup semi-finals should be moved away from Wembley? Let us know in the comments section below.

There were over 20,000 empty seats at Wembley
(Image: ITV)

One fan wrote on Twitter: “The amount of empty seats at Wembley today is shocking for an FA Cup semi-final – regardless of whether it’s the lower profile tie. The FA need to take note and stop hosting them in London.”

A second added: “Under 70k attendance at Wembley for the FA cup semi final. It’s time the out of touch @fa move semi finals back around the country but we all know they are about making money rather than doing what’s right for football and the fans.”

A third wrote: “The FA Cup semi-finals are now so lacking in a sense of occasion. Lots of empty seats at Wembley. Wasn’t such a great idea to move the semi-finals away from club grounds, was it?”

And even Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham was in agreement, tweeting: “Let’s call time on FA Cup Semi-Finals at Wembley. It’s never been right.”