IT is not a good idea to mess with tradition in football.
So I cannot agree with the decision to stage the FA Cup semi-finals at the same venue as the final -- whether that be the Millennium Stadium or Wembley.
The FA has indicated that, from now on, venues such as Old Trafford and Villa Park will no longer host semi-finals.
In the past, part of the draw of the FA Cup has been the fact that its final is a showpiece occasion. Getting to Wembley meant getting to the final.
Not any more. This season, both the semis and the final will be held at the Millennium Stadium.
From next season, the plan is to hold the semis and the final at Wembley.
That takes a huge chunk of the magic away from the competition.
It was far more special for fans to take over a big neutral ground in the semi-final and still have the dream of trip to the national stadium to play for.
Having three games instead of one in the national stadium takes away the exclusivity of the venue.
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