Leeds fans fume over FA Cup semi-final date delay for Wembley trip
Leeds United discovered the date of their FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea hours after fans issued a statement to complain about the lack of clarity
Leeds United supporters have finally been given clarity for their FA Cup semi-final plans just hours after issuing a statement bemoaning uncertainty over the date for their Wembley tie with Chelsea. The Leeds United Supporters’ Trust (LUST) branded the delay "not acceptable”, with thousands of fans in limbo over travel and accommodation arrangements. Their semi-final has now been confirmed to take place on Sunday 26 April, with Leeds also due to play a rearranged Premier League fixture at Bournemouth just four days earlier.
This scheduling conflict, coupled with the lack of clarity, caysed considerable frustration for fans eager to support their team in their first FA Cup semi-final in 39 years, following Sunday’s penalty shootout victory over West Ham. Leeds celebrate their penalty shootout win over West Ham (John Walton/PA). (PA Wire) LUST stated on social media prior to the date announcement: "We have reached out to both Leeds United and The Football Supporters’ Association to understand the slowness in announcing details for the FA Cup semi-final.
“Having liaised with the club, they are still in the dark and waiting on governing bodies, the police and broadcaster to come to a final decision. “It’s not acceptable that we go into the fourth day since the draw, with no details leaving thousands of fans in limbo. " Leeds are expected to receive an allocation of around 30,000 tickets for the trip to Wembley when they face the Blues, who booked their spot in the final four by thrashing Port Vale 7-0 last Saturday.
The scheduling of the match means their semi-final is set to clash with this year’s London Marathon on the Sunday. The other semi-final will see Manchester City face Southampton on Saturday 25 April. City reached the semi-finals once again after picking up a dominant 4-0 win against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, while Southampton pulled off a major shock as they knocked out Premier League leaders Arsenal after sealing a 2-1 victory at St Mary’s on Saturday night.