Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has suggested that some FA Cup semi-finals should be held in the north of England to alleviate the financial strain on fans. The Blues have 5,000 unsold tickets for Sunday’s semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Wembley, which is their fourth game at the iconic stadium within a year.
Guardiola empathises with City supporters who feel they can’t afford another trip to London and believes the FA should consider sharing semi-final locations with the morth. Semi-finals were previously held at Villa Park and Old Trafford until 2008 when the rebuilt Wembley was opened as “a financial necessity”. “Yes, one day in the FA Cup maybe we will play them in the north and they will come to Old Trafford or the Etihad or Anfield, maybe they will come here,” Guardiola proposed.
“I understand the people. All around the world people are suffering economically and I realise it’s not easy for them.
“We would love it if they could be there and we will play for the ones who come to Wembley AND the ones who would like to, but cannot. That’s what we have to do for those who would love to be there, but I understand it completely.
“They cannot come, but I’m pretty sure they would love to. It’s just that it’s not possible for them. I’m close enough to them to understand that perfectly.”
Guardiola acknowledges that Forest, playing their first FA Cup semi-final in 34 years, may have more fans present which could make it feel more like an away game for City.
Regardless, the Catalan coach assures that he and his team will face this atmosphere head-on and give their best for all their fans, whether they’re at the stadium or watching from home.
“They would come if they could, but they cannot because the situation is difficult for travel, people at work on Monday and maybe they will arrive back late, the prices, all the tickets,” he explained.
“We have to do it with them or without them. Our job is to do our best. It’s better with our people, but I’m not complaining at all, in fact completely the opposite. I’m alongside them, the people would like to come and cannot come.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk