FA CUP SEMI-FINALS AT WEMBLEY

That this House notes with disappointment the decision to stage the FA Cup semi-final between Everton and Manchester United at 4 p.m. on a Sunday at Wembley Stadium; further notes that the other semi-final between two London teams, Chelsea and Arsenal, is to take place on the previous day at the same venue; recognises that these decisions are dictated by television rather than for the convenience of the fans and believes that this arrangement will cause considerable unnecessary cost in terms of both time and money to supporters of both Everton and Manchester United; further notes that neutral venues at Anfield or Eastlands or Villa Park are all suitable venues worthy of holding an FA Cup semi-final between two North West Premiership teams; and, while recognising that holding semi-finals at Wembley allows more fans to attend the games, believes that using Wembley for the semi-finals takes away some of the magic of reaching the final and playing at the magnificent new Wembley stadium; and therefore calls on the Football Association to review the policy of holding semi-finals at Wembley in the future.