Robson backs Fergie over cup semi-finals

30 March 2011 13:00
Bryan Robson has backed Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that next month's FA Cup semi-finals should not be held at Wembley. Ferguson has made the point that with all four competing clubs heading to London from the north west, fans are having to incur unreasonable cost while police and traffic services will be stretched on the same weekend as the London Marathon is being held and Arsenal play Liverpool in the Premier League. The Football Association have held semi-finals at Wembley since 2008 as part of the stadium's revenue streams for repaying the huge cost of construction. They also argue that with its 90,000 capacity, it is the only suitable venue for the Manchester derby between United and City on April 16 and the rare appearances of both Bolton and Stoke at this stage of the competition mean the second game 24 hours later will also be a sell-out. However, Robson, who skippered United to three triumphs in the competition, disagrees. "Sir Alex is right to point these things out because of everything that is going on in London," he said. "It will be a big problem for the police and there will be traffic issues as well. Maybe it would have been better playing at Villa Park, just to take a little bit of pressure away."

Source: PA