Football / FA Cup: United seek semi switch

MARTIN EDWARDS, the Manchester United chairman, was last night trying to convince Oldham Athletic, his club's FA Cup semi-final opponents, to shun Wembley Stadium.

The Football Association announced yesterday that for the second year running both semi-finals will be played at Wembley, with Chelsea meeting Luton or West Ham on Saturday 9 April at 5.0pm and the two northern sides playing the next day at 3.15.

The decision would guarantee more supporters a ticket, but Edwards said: 'We are there for the Coca-Cola Cup final and now we have been told we have to play the FA Cup semi-final there. It's too much asking fans to keep going to the well to find money for travel and tickets.'

David Davies, the FA's director of public affairs, said a joint approach by the two clubs to switch the tie would be considered. He also stressed that semi- finals may still be played elsewehere in future.