Fans hit by Cup ticket price rise

THE FA have made significant price increases for tickets to this year’s FA Cup semi-finals and final at Wembley. It is the first time since 2015 there has been an increase but supporters of Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Southampton face forking out up to £20 more for the semis and £30 more for the final. Spurs will face United at Wembley on Saturday, April 21 with a 5.15pm kick-off, shown live on BBC 1. Chelsea v Southampton, on April 22 at 3pm, will be shown live by BT Sport. The cheapest ticket for the semis will stay at £30 but the most expensive is now £80, compared to £60 last year. The most expensive for the final in May is now £145, up from £115. Each club will receive 33,500 tickets. The FA’s director of professional game relations Andy Ambler said: ‘It’s always important to remember that the FA is a not-for-profit organisation where every pound and penny of profit is reinvested back into every level of football in England.’ Meanwhile, the FA will ensure Tottenham enjoy no home privileges at Wembley when they meet United next month. All Tottenham branding will be stripped from their temporary home and Spurs will not using their usual changing room. Ambler added: ‘Spurs will have no “home team” privileges for the semi-final or final.’

MAURICIO Pochettino will not stand in Toby Alderweireld’s way if the defender tries to leave Spurs this summer. The Belgian is refusing to sign a new deal and Pochettino only wants players who are fully committed. Real Madrid and Manchester United are monitoring the situation.