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Hill-Wood Hits Back at Fergie

Last updated : 17 April 2005 By Gary Fish

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has responded to Sir Alex Ferguson's allegations that Arsenal pressurised the FA into playing the FA Cup semi-finals at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, resulting in a major inconvenience for over 100,000 fans.

As previously reported Ferguson had claimed that Arsenal favoured the semi-finalsto be played in Wales instead of Villa Park or Elland Road, more preferable venues for the fans to see the games.

Hill-Wood reacted to Ferguson's comments in the papers, accusing him of making an "ill-informed remark" and insisting that the Highbury side did not influence the FA's decision to play the games at The Millennium Stadium, which was announced last September.

"It seems to have been an ill-informed remark that started this debate," Hill-Wood told The Evening Standard.

"In no way has the subject of semi-final venues been discussed by the board at Arsenal.

"That is absolute rubbish. As far as I know, the decision about the venues was made by The FA in September."

Last season Arsenal and United played their FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park and Hill-Wood has suggested that his side would have preferred a return to the Midlands this year rather than Cardiff.

"To be honest, I would rather go to Villa Park to play the game and I think most of our fans would as well," he admitted.

"The decision was taken by the FA without any influence from Arsenal."

With Wembley expected to be opened next year, the FA Cup semi-finals will be held in London from the 2006/07 season onwards, despite criticisms from players, managers and fans about playing both semi-finals and final at the same venue.