Andy Burnham urges the FA to move City's FA Cup semi-final away from Wembley

Major Andy Burnham has written to the Football Association to demand the FA Cup semi-final between City and Liverpool is moved from Wembley. The semi is due to take place at the national stadium in London on April 16 or 17, the Easter weekend.

But long-standing railway engineering works mean there will be no direct trains between Manchester or Liverpool and London that weekend. Man City Fans have dubbed the arrangement 'a complete shambles' and have called for a change of venue to help supporters get to the game.

Between 50,000 and 60,000 supporters from the two clubs are expected to travel. Today Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and his counterpart in Liverpool Steve Rotheram published a joint letter they have sent to the FA.

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In the letter, the metro mayors state: "The FA Cup is a proud English tradition - and no region has a richer or more successful relationship with the competition than the North West.

"As you will know, Liverpool and Manchester City will contest one of this season's semi-finals over the Easter Weekend. However, as you will also be aware, Network Rail are undertaking works to the railway that mean no services will be running between either Liverpool or Manchester and the capital over that same weekend.

"This leaves tens of thousands of fans from all over our region in an unfair position - as supporters’ groups from both clubs have made clear today. We are writing in support of them. Without quick, direct trains, many people will be left with no option but to drive, fly, make overly complex rail journeys or book overnight accommodation. When you factor in the rising costs of