Liverpool and Manchester City fans will have the opportunity of traveling from Liverpool and Manchester to London for the semi-final match involving the two Premier League clubs for free.
The English Football Association announced that the FA would provide 100 buses to convey Liverpool and Manchester City fans to the Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup semi-final game free of charge.
Note that Liverpool and Manchester City fans who are planning to watch the FA Cup game have been agitating for the venue of the game to be changed because trains will not operate on April 16, the same date scheduled for the game.
Reports in the United Kingdom confirmed that the railway connecting London to other parts of the country is closed for rehabilitation. Hence, those traveling into London are expected to spend more money on transportation.
Aside from that, the weekend coincides with banks break which means that there could be more vehicular movement on the road.
Due to the stress and financial burden Liverpool and Manchester City fans might face, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and Liverpool counterpart Steve Rotheram released a joint statement to urge the FA to change the venue.
But the FA insisted that Wembley Stadium which has been hosting FA Cup semi-finals and final games since 2008, will remain the venue for the game.
FA Cup palliatives for Liverpool and Manchester City fans
Since the FA has decided not to change the venue for the semi-final game between Liverpool and Manchester City, the football body has decided to pacify the clubs’ fans.
The FA will release 100 buses to convey the clubs’ fans to the Wembley Stadium and bring them back to Liverpool and Manchester after the game.
The Liverpool and Manchester City fans who want to go with the arrangement, are mandated to pre-register ahead of the game.
The arrangement is expected to convey at least 5,000 supporters of Liverpool and Manchester City before and after the game free of charge.
Also, there are reports that the government will stop non-essential road work to ease traffic on the road ahead of the FA Cup semi-final game between City and Liverpool.
“The FA recognizes the significant challenges that are being faced by some Liverpool and Manchester City supporters with train services being severely limited,” the FA statement read.
“Hundreds of miles of unessential roadworks will be put on hold to help supporters enjoy the occasion and enhance their journeys.”
What about Chelsea and Crystal Palace fans?
The second semi-final game that will take place at the Wembley Stadium is Chelsea vs Crystal Palace.
Unlike Manchester City and Liverpool which are based outside London, Chelsea and Crystal Palace are London-based clubs. Hence, Chelsea and Palace fans are not included in the FA’s transport arrangement.
The Manchester City vs Liverpool FA Cup semi-final game will kick off at 15:30 on April 16, 2022, at Wembley Stadium. While Chelsea vs Crystal Palace FA Cup semi-final game will Kick off at 16:30 on April 17 at the same venue.
The FA have announced that a limited number of free return bus services will be provided for both the FA Cup and Women’s FA Cup Semi Finals involving Liverpool and Manchester City 🚌 pic.twitter.com/2mz5qq4BXD
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 25, 2022
