CARDIFF was today geared up for the arrival of up to 75,000 football fans for the FA Cup final.

South Wales Police are putting into place their plan for dealing with capacity events at the city's landmark Millennium Stadium, which will see Arsenal and Southampton battle it out for the title.

The force's main task is to avoid traffic chaos as thousands pour into and out of the city centre at the same time.

Superintendent Kevin Tumelty, who is in charge of the policing operation, said: "We have a tried and tested plan.

"We have had FA Cup finals here before and other major events in the last couple of years. Our plan covers the stadium and the area outside."

He urged fans travelling by car to start early, listen to radio travel bulletins and follow the road signs to dedicated park and ride car parks.

After the final whistle, fans should stagger their journeys home, rather than risk gridlock with everyone trying to leave immediately.

Officers are not expecting any problems of violence caused by hooligans, said Mr Tumelty.

"The FA Cup final has traditionally always been peaceful," he said. "It has never been associated with crowd problems at Wembley and certainly not Cardiff.

"Southampton and Arsenal both have good reputations and there is no history of violence between the two."

With reports of tickets for the match changing hands for up to £1,000, Mr Tumelty warned touts that the force would be using CCTV and a dedicated team of officers to track them down.

"Our advice is clear. Ticket-touting is unlawful and people should buy tickets from an authorised source,'' he said.

"If people haven't got a genuine ticket, when they turn up at the gate they will not be let in."