Thousands of football fans risk being stranded because of the timing of the FA Cup semi-finals. Virgin Trains has warned that supporters with train tickets but without reserved seats may not be able to travel.

With the Man. Utd match starting at 5.30pm and Chelsea's game at 4pm, should the games go to extra time, Virgin predict serious problems in getting fans home.

"We feel it is our duty to be honest with supporters now," said Charles Belcher, Virgin West Coast's managing director.

The FA said that Uefa banned it from staging televised matches between 2.45 and 5.15 pm on Saturdays to protect attendances at other games.