Liverpool captain and midfielder, Jordan Henderson, assessed that the decision of the English Football Federation (FA) to continue holding the FA Cup semifinal match at Wembley Stadium, London, was still detrimental to fans. Henderson prefers the option of moving the location of the FA Cup semifinals.
Previously, the FA still decided to hold the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium. The plan is that Liverpool match against Manchester City will be held on Saturday
Not only that, the FA will also prepare 100 free buses to transport Liverpool and Manchester City supporters to Wembley Stadium. The FA hopes to transport around 5,000 Manchester City and Liverpool supporters to Wembley Stadium to attend the match in person.
This action is a step for the FA in responding to the difficulties faced by City and Liverpool supporters to attend directly to Wembley Stadium. The reason is, Avanti West Coast as the train operator has closed the line to London from the City of Manchester and Liverpool on April 16 to April 18.
This temporary closure was forced by Avanti West Coast to carry out technical repairs and maintenance at various points on the train line to London. However, Henderson assesses, the FA decision to continue holding the semifinal match at Wembley Stadium is still detrimental for fans. According to the England midfielder, the FA should have moved the game to a neutral location, which is closer to Manchester and Liverpool. As a result, transportation costs for fans can be reduced a bit.
''The decision was quite disappointing. Supposedly, this was the perfect time to pay more attention to them. The day of the match was a day for them and for various reasons, they certainly weighed the cost. Therefore, it would make more sense if the match was moved to a neutral venue in the north, which is closer to Manchester and Liverpool,'' said Henderson as quoted by The Guardian , Saturday (26/3/2022).
The 31-year-old midfielder also considered that, as a national stadium, the use of Wembley Stadium in domestic competitions should only be limited to holding the final. The matches in the FA Cup semifinals will be held at neutral locations.
''I love playing at Wembley Stadium. It is an amazing stadium. However, I prefer the stadium to only host the final. Holding the semifinal match at a neutral venue will not reduce the enthusiasm for the match. Then holding the final match at Wembley Stadium will also increase the motivation of players,'aid Henderson.
