The Football Association have refused to rule out reducing ticket prices for the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley to try to ensure the 90,000-capacity stadium is full after three clubs from outside the top flight reached the last four of the competition for the first time in 100 years, reports The Guardian.

The unexpected progress of the Championship clubs West Bromwich Albion, Barnsley and Cardiff City, who have joined Portsmouth in the semi-finals, causes a headache for the FA with the distinct possibility that neither of the two matches will be sell-outs.

The games are being staged at Wembley on April 5 to make money from a stadium which cost £798m to build and requires extra finance for basic upkeep.

An FA spokesman confirmed a price reduction on tickets had not been ruled out but the governing body is confident all four teams will bring large numbers of fans.

"We don't see the competition has been undervalued - the level of interest is great," said the director of communications, Adrian Bevington. "It will be the first opportunity for these clubs to play at the new stadium, which presents new excitement in itself. I am sure a large number of their fans will be excited by the prospect of going to a semi-final at Wembley."