The FA have previously found themselves embroiled in situations in which they have been left feeling pretty embarrassed about the state of the Wembley pitch ahead of key FA cup ties. This year, though, the top dogs there may find themselves having to cope with a situation in which they don't feel particularly embarrassed by the pitch but have more than a few anxieties about the fact the TV cameras point directly at the section of the ground containing the corporate seating area. The match might attract a fair few FA Cup bets, but it may not attract the fans.
With the FA previously making the decision to hold the semi-finals at Wembley in order to help finance the stadium and ensure that they can continue to pump money into the sort of grassroots schemes that are aiming to raise the technical ability and overall standards of youngsters throughout England, they have also taken the huge risk of being left with a half empty stadium, with the risk of nobody except a few fans of both sides taking the opportunity to come to the match a real possibility, especially when you take a look at the extortionate amounts the FA charges fans to have the pleasure of sitting in the worst seats at the ground.
If the FA end up having to face the music and deal with fans at home laughing at empty seats and a total lack of corporate interest in the Bolton versus Stoke game, then they may well find themselves forced to rethink continuing the policy of playing all the semi-finals at Wembley, with the option of relocating future games at this stage of the competition surely sensible if the sides involved deem it to be in their fans' best interest.
However, with the FA only after one thing, and that is certainly not fan welfare, the chances of change occurring are slim at best unless the officials receive a whole load of stick for an empty stadium.
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