Hughes: Cup semi 'at wrong stadium'

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It was revealed yesterday the match is in danger of being played in front of thousands of empty seats.

Today, there are still 16,000 tickets left and Blackburn boss Hughes said: "Maybe you have to look at the choice of venue, fantastic as it is.

"If it had been at the City of Manchester it would probably be full."

Hughes understands why a number of fans from both sides are staying away.

He added: "It is an expensive business watching football.

"The FA set the prices and we have to be led by them.

"By all accounts the £25 tickets went very quickly. The £55 ones haven't gone as quickly - so that tells the story."

Many Chelsea fans are thought to be boycotting the game because of the cost and distance involved after so many other big games this season.

Head coach Jose Mourinho said: "I love the stadium so that is not a problem but the fact is our fans have to travel. If you have to go by bus or train, I heard it is not an easy situation for thousands of people."

Chelsea are favourites but Mourinho warned: "Not many people believe the final can be Watford v Blackburn but it can, and I want my team to realise that it is possible."

Watford still have 1,500 tickets for tomorrow's semi with Manchester United at Villa Park.

There have been worries that the slow uptake could mean empty seats when the semi-finals revert to Wembley stadium - with its capacity of 90,000 - next year.

But the Football Association do not anticipate any such problems.

An FA spokesman is reported as saying: "We are confident we will see big crowds at Wembley for the semi-finals.

"We want to make the semi-finals as accessible to as many fans as possible and Old Trafford is the biggest club ground in the country.

"Old Trafford and Villa Park are well-established venues for the semi-finals and are used to dealing with the logistics."