Fa Cup Semi In The North? Guardiola Feels For Fans

Manager Pep Guardiola says Manchester City supporters look a "difficult" business pinch nan squad poised to play successful a seventh consecutive FA Cup semi-final successful London.

Reports connected Friday suggested City were struggling to waste retired their allocation, external for nan crippled astatine Wembley against Nottingham Forest connected Sunday (16:30 BST).

Ticket prices scope from £30 to £150 while recreation to nan superior arsenic good arsenic nutrient will summation nan outlay further.

BBC Sport asked nan Football Association (FA) whether it would reappraisal semi-finals being held solely astatine Wembley and sources said nan venue has "the largest capacity successful nan country" and truthful "permits nan biggest numbers of fans imaginable from each nine to support their squad successful person".

However, City head Guardiola said successful his pre-match news conference: "One time possibly nan FA Cup will beryllium played present successful nan north.

"They will travel present to Old Trafford aliases Etihad aliases Anfield aliases Goodison Park. I understand nan people, I'm not nan personification to say.

"All astir nan world group suffer economically and I understand wholly it's not easy for them. We will play for nan group who travel to Wembley and for nan group who would for illustration to travel but cannot.

"I americium beautiful judge they would emotion to travel but they can't and I understand perfectly."

This will beryllium City's 28th lucifer astatine nan nationalist stadium since its refurbishment was completed successful 2007.

They are besides vying for a 3rd consecutive final, having beaten and mislaid to rivals Manchester United successful nan erstwhile 2 years.

"The fans cannot travel because nan business is difficult for travel, nan group are astatine activity connected Monday and possibly will beryllium backmost late, nan prices of nan tickets," added Guardiola.

"I understand wholly that they don't come. I'm beautiful judge they would emotion to go.

"We person to do it pinch aliases without them - our occupation is to do our best. It's amended pinch our people, but I'm not complaining astatine each - wholly nan opposite. I americium alongside nan group who would for illustration to travel but cannot."

Earlier this week, City fans staged a 2nd protestation extracurricular Etihad Stadium earlier nan Premier League crippled against Aston Villa connected Tuesday and are planning further demonstrations complete what they opportunity is nan club's refusal to summation nan number of play summons holders.

The group claims fans past person to salary up to £88 for an big matchday summons aliases up to £58 for a child, while tickets are past sold done third-party sites for inflated prices.