FA Cup Semis at Cardiff

[The Wookiee]

Cardiff nets FA Cup semis


Cardiff's Millennium Stadium has been chosen to host this season's FA Cup semi-finals as well as the final.
The first tie takes place on Saturday, 16 April 2005 at 1715 BST and the second game a day later at 1600 BST.

"Taking the semi-finals to Cardiff will ensure they are played at a neutral venue and that the maximum number of fans can attend," said an FA spokesman.

"The Millennium Stadium has been a wonderful venue for the final, with a unique atmosphere for teams and fans."


The stadium has hosted the final since 2001 and is due to continue until the new Wembley Stadium takes over for the 2006 FA Cup final.

 

[zefarelly]

I dont agree with this, it should be located according to the clubs involved (and if that means rigging the draw as per usual then so be it )

 

[JJ McClure]

Takes something away from the final being a special occasion, if you've already been there for the semis.

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

normally villa park and old traffored that hold it. im very suprised at this

 

[Marc]

thats crap, one of the many points of getting to the Final is the once in a lifetime chance to play at Wembley/Mill Stad, you should NEVER have a semi final there.....ridiculous.

 

[SK1NT]

i think thats a shit idea, like 80's seagulls said, takes something away from the final, after being there for the semi's. I tell you what would be good. When Wembley has been built, use cardiff for the semi's Wembley for the final

 

[Strike]

Agree with 80's Seagull. It spoils the magic of the final.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Do the FA want to destroy the FA Cup completely? The FA Cup has never recovered after the FA shamelessly cow-towed to Manchester United about letting them play in that silly World Club Championship competition: like anyone cares? Of course the semi-finals should be played at different venues and of course it will devalue the final even further. Idiotic decision which no true fan of the game will support.

 

[zefarelly]

the FA are a f***ing shambles, just look at the state of NAtional footbal and its clubs

wankers the lot of them

 

[perth seagull]

It's all about the money, the FA say that they'll get bigger gates holding the semi finals at the bigger Millennium Stadium than Villa Park and Old Trafford.

 

[pasty]

I think this all started a few years ago when the Arsenal Spurs semi was played at Wembley. If I remember correctly, the other semi was a Sheffield derby, and they whinged about it, and their semi ended up at Wembley as well.

I too think semis should be played at places like Old trafford, Villa park etc...Cardiff or "Wembley" should remain special for the final.

 

[Juan Albion]

Is Cardiff still considered neutral if, by some miracle, Cardiff make the semis? Not the same ground, I know, but might as well be.

 

[Marc]

"Wembley will stage FA Cup semi-finals on a permanent basis from 2005-06 season." - FA spokesman Andrin Cooper

usless f***ing twats, that wont cost too much then They've ruined part of the spirit of the FA Cup forever

 

[Lady Whistledown]

££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

In a nutshell, greedy old farts at the FA.

Lets hope the big clubs all knock each other out, leaving 2 semi finals of Wigan Athletic vs Kidderminster Harriers, and Swindon Town vs Luton Town.

 

[Schrödinger's Toad]

I can never understand why they do this - it happened with Wembley as well. Would the play-off final have been so great if the two previous games had been at the Millennium Stadium as well? Greedy sods.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

what if its millwall v sunderland type semi again? it will be half empty

 

[The Laughing Bluebird]

Is Cardiff still considered neutral if, by some miracle, Cardiff make the semis? Not the same ground, I know, but might as well be.

Of course it would be! Cardiff City's home ground is Ninian Park, not the Millennium Stadium. Therefore the Millennium Stadium would be considered a neutral venue if we got to the semis, just as Wembley was considered a neutral venue whenever London clubs got to the FA Cup final.

Anyway, it's a pointless discussion. The way we are playing at the moment we wouldn't get to the Welsh Cup semis, never mind the FA Cup semis.

 

[oapdodge]

Play the semi's at Cardiff and the Final at Wembley,when built.That would make sense.Not far away from being completed.Be great to get the Final back at Wembley.

 

[DannyBhoy]

the question i ask is " Can us Albion fans REALLY afford to go to cardiff for a semi then a final"!!!!

HAHAHA