... ahem. Why the hell are the Semi-Finals being played in the 'New' Wembley Stadium? What idiot thought that idea up?

To be fair, i'm sure there's some logic behind it, but doesn't it just totally take away the special appeal of the finalists getting to go to Wembley? In the semi's, when a team wins, they're going to respond in jubilation with "We're going to Wemb--"? No, they're already there! It's a terrible idea.

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Money, probably. It's not the first time a semi final has been played at Wembley anyway - remember Gazza's free kick in the semi against Arsenal?

I agree with your point though. It dilutes the meaning of reaching the final for the special Wembley occasion.

It's tough enough on fans from the north travelling all the way down to Wembley to watch their side in the final, so to travel down for the semi final is too much. Maybe the location of the semi final should be dependant on which sides are contesting it e.g. If Liverpool played Everton then host the semi at Old Trafford or St. James Park. If Spurs drew Arsenal, then Wembley would be fine. If Spurs played Everton in a semi, then a halfway house like Villa Park would be fair for both fans travelling.

That's the way I see it anyway.

totally agree , to get to Wembley is nearly every clubs dream and the players should regard it as a special occasion . It probably is about money ....although the top clubs current fixture schedule may make it hard to fit in a semi-final of a Cup competition ...not sure .

Its not the first time its happened though ...wont be the last either .

Scottish semi's are played at Hampden and I never really understood it. Surely a neutral venue would have been more approriate for the FA Cup semi's. Say the Husky Stadium in Washington or the Workers Stadium in Beijing

I agree with everything everybody has pointed out above (apart from CFC, The Camrose Ground at Basingstoke Town FC could probably house a Scottish semi adequately) and it annoys me because it does dilute the 'big final day out' somewhat.

There are plenty of decint-sized stadiums Nationwide suitable for semi-finals in my opinion.

Agreed. Part of the experience of playing in a cup final is the expansive venue that you play at, and competing there in the Semi-Finals also must take a great deal away from the experience.

Must take some of the glitz of the occasion if you have already been for a semi final

I thought they could use the Millenium stadium for the semis still a massive stadium and the two times i have been there had a great time.

On another issue, how will they play both the matches on the same weekend at the same stadium with the same pitch? Wouldn't the pitch need doing up a little?

Same things happened in the Champions League with Arsenal playing AC Milan at the San Siro on the Tuesday and than ourselves playing Inter obviously at the same venue the following day - which subsequently had to be postponed to the next week...

Totally agree that it's a pathetic idea,completely takes away the glamour from the final,some teams who have never reached a final can still say they've played at wembley which is just plain stooopid

Good point - they will no doubt play one on the saturday, the other on the Sunday and let the pitch get chopped up to fook.

Surely part of the appeal of winning the FA Cup is to run out at Wembley, it used to be a small group of players who said they have run out with their club and won a game their.

There are enough big grounds around the country so the venue should be chosen when the teams are known. What is the point of say in the future Man U v Everton playing in a semi, and all their fans having to make their way down to London?

Well I disagree! I think every FA Cup match should be held at Wembley.

It's a ridiculous idea playing the semi @ wembley,
although i am just a bit pleased the dumb f***s at the FA have come to this conclusion....(fill your pockets boys)

That would create havoc.

Whoosh!

I agree with Ferguson.

i have to say that while i disagree with the proposal in principle, im glad this years semi's will be at Wembley.

the players and fans of Barnsley, West Brom, Portsmouth and Cardiff are all going to Wembley. what a day it will be for them, even if they lose. far more memorable and enjoyable than Villa Park or Old Trafford.

both semi finals will in themselves be mini finals because in my opinion its quite wide open. sure Portsmouth are the obiovus favourites but that means nothing anymore.

this would have been what i would have written had i been on few hours back. agreed.