Liverpool fans whose FA Cup final tickets were stolen will not receive duplicate versions for the Millennium Stadium showpiece event, the English FA confirmed today.

Around 1,600 tickets were stolen following a raid on a Royal Mail van last week in Liverpool, with Reds chief executive Rick Parry looking to work with the FA to resolve the problem.

However, fans who had paid for the tickets for the clash against West Ham will not get replacements and police have warned against buying from touts as anyone with a stolen ticket is liable to arrest.

FA officials liaised with the stadium's Safety Advisory Group - comprising members of the police and fire services and Cardiff County Council - and could not get the tickets re-issued.

"The FA has looked at every way of helping the fans affected," a statement read. "The Safety Advisory Group, which has the final say on all safety and security matters for matches at the stadium, has maintained a no-duplicates policy. The police have also stressed that anyone found in possession of a stolen ticket will be arrested.

"The FA has enormous sympathy for those genuine fans whose tickets were stolen. However, we have no option but to follow the advice and policy of the Safety Advisory Group in the interests of all fans attending the match."

Parry yesterday criticised Millennium Stadium officials for failing to resolve the problem. He said: "The decision by the Millennium Stadium not to issue duplicate tickets is totally unacceptable and penalises ordinary supporters who have had the misfortune of being the innocent victims of a robbery."