FANS have blasted an “unreal” FA Cup fifth-round TV schedule – caused by a little-known rule.
The last-16 televised ties now have to be in midweek – meaning eight games between Monday and Wednesday, February 26-28.
Giantkillers Maidstone launch the schedule at Coventry or Sheffield Wednesday on the opening night.
Luton then host Manchester City the following evening.
And the only other definite all-Premier League tie at this stage is on the Wednesday, with Wolves at home to Brighton.
One fan posted: “FA Cup rounds should not be held midweek apart from replays” – while another just said “wow”.
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But for a supporter of sixth-tier Maidstone it’s all worked out perfectly.
He wrote on X: “What a birthday gift! Travelling away to watch my @maidstoneunited in the FA Cup Fifth round. The stuff of dreams.”
Another said: “Requested the 26th off work. We’ve got this!!!”
And in fact some viewers are happy with the new look round of 16.
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TV SCHEDULE IN FULL
- Coventry/Sheffield Wed vs Maidstone
– 7.45pm Mon Feb 26 – ITV 4 - Bournemouth vs Leicester,
– 7.30pm Tues Feb 27 – BBC iPlayer - Blackburn vs Newcastle
– 7.45pm Tues Feb 27 – BBC1 - Luton vs Man City
– 8pm Tues Feb 27 – ITV1 - Wolves vs Brighton
– 7.45pm Wed Feb 28 – BBC iPlayer - Nottm Forest/Bristol City v Man Utd
– 7.45pm Wed Feb 28 -BBC1 - Liverpool v Watford/Southampton
– 8pm Wed Feb 28 – ITV1 - Aston Villa/Chelsea vs PlymouthLeeds
– Wed Feb 28 – ITV4
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One posted: “Basically every game live. Not too bad.”
In all, BBC One is showing two matches live, with two available on the Beeb’s iPlayer.
Two games will be on ITV1 and the other two on ITV 4.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
