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    Man Utd’s FA Cup clash with Wigan will be 86th televised match of their last 87 in all cup competitions

    MANCHESTER UNITED’S FA Cup clash with Wigan will be broadcast on BBC One.That means the Red Devils will have featured on TV in 86 out of 87 cup clashes, dating back to 2005.
    Manchester United travel to Wigan on January 8Credit: EPA
    The only match not to be televised was an FA Cup third round clash against Derby in January 2018, which United won 2-0.
    Prior to that every single one of United’s FA Cup and League Cup matches were aired, dating back to a 0-0 draw with Exexter in 2005.
    That means every stage of last year’s Carabao Cup success was shown live on air.
    Erik ten Hag also led his side to the FA Cup final where they lost to rivals Manchester City.
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    The Dutchman will be confident he can overcome League One side Wigan, who won the FA Cup in 2023.
    However his side have not fared very well in cup competitions this season having been beaten 3-0 in the Carabao Cup by Newcastle.
    United are also on the brink of Champions League elimination and need to beat Bayern Munich to have hope of qualifying from their group.
    The Red Devils’ meeting with Wigan will be the last match of the third round weekend to be broadcast.
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    Crystal Palace vs Everton will be shown on Thursday with Tottenham’s clash against Burnley airing a day later.
    Saturday TV sees Newcastle travel to Sunderland for a Tyne-Wear derby before two Prem titans battle it out on Sunday – Liverpool and Arsenal. More

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    FA make unprecedented intervention after Forest Green’s FA Cup clash with Scarborough ordered to be replayed

    THE FA have made the unprecedented move of ruling Scarborough Athletic will receive 100 per cent of the gate receipts from their FA Cup replay against Forest Green Rovers.It comes after it was ordered that the first round tie be replayed due to an ADMIN ERROR.
    Forest Green vs Scarborough will be replayedCredit: Getty
    Forest Green’s second round tie away to Blackpool was dramatically called off last Friday, the evening before they were set to play on Saturday.
    Forest Green had won their first round tie comprehensively, beating National League North side Scarborough 5-2.
    However the result was declared null and void because of an admin error between Forest Green and the FA.
    The FA found Forest Green to be guilty of fielding an ineligible player in their squad due to him only being on loan.
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    Forest Green had not notified the FA that they had permission from the player’s parent club to play in the game but have now submitted the required paperwork.
    In an unprecedented move, Scarborough will keep 100 per cent of the gate receipts in the replay and Forest Green will not receive accommodation expenses – as per the FA verdict.
    Usually the takings on the gate for FA Cup ties are split evenly between the sides.
    The game will be replayed on Tuesday December 12.
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    Forest Green owner Dale Vince posted on X to update fans and said: “When investigations take place and rulings get announced in football, fans are often left confused as to what actually went on – making them wonder what the hell is happening at their club.
    “Our recent charge came about after we failed to tell the FA that we had permission from the player’s home club to be part of our FA Cup squad. They recognised we had approval for the player – but that we had not told them, which was our mistake. In the grand scheme of things this was an admin error, so we appreciate the FA’s acceptance of what happened and their judgement.
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    “The FA ruled that @safc will keep all the money from the gate for this replay, as is right – and we don’t get travel or accommodation expenses (which are normal). Hopefully this means something good can come from this.”
    The tie between Forest Green and Scarborough will be decided on the night without the possibility of a replay if the game is a draw.
    So penalties will be used to decide the fixture should the game end in a draw after extra time.
    The winner will play Blackpool away the following Tuesday. More

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    Fans furious at ‘absolute disgrace’ allocation for huge Wigan vs Man Utd FA Cup tie and vow to watch on TV

    FANS have been left furious over the away allocation given to Manchester United for their FA Cup tie against Wigan.The Red Devils make the short trip to the DW Stadium in the third round of the competition.
    Wigan host Man Utd in the third roundCredit: Getty
    It has been chosen for TV coverage with the game to be broadcast live on ITV1 on Monday 6 January.
    And that turns out to be a relief for Wigan fans with thousands of them set to miss out on tickets.
    The Lactics have surprisingly handed travelling Man Utd supporters the entire Kingdom East Stand rather than the usual away end.
    That means the Premier League side will be given approximately 8,000 tickets.
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    The DW Stadium has a capacity of 25,133, which means United will have close to a third of the ground.
    It has left Wigan fans raging, one said: “Shocking way to treat season ticket holders in the East Stand. I’ve had my seat for 18 years and I’m expected to give it up because Manchester United are coming? I’ll watch on TV.”
    Another added: “Utter shambles Wigan, let your fans down badly here.”
    A third commented: “I don’t know if you’ve still got time to change this. If you haven’t, then I advise you in the strongest possible terms to reconsider. You are going to lose the support of so many fans over this.”
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    More fumed: “I normally would always support and trust the club but giving them all the East Stand is the worst idea you have ever had.”
    Wigan usually place away supporters behind the goal rather than at the side of the pitch.

    It’s Man Utd’s first away domestic cup draw since March 2021.
    But it’s not just Wigan fans who have been left fuming today after the TV choices for the third round were made.
    Every non-league club left in the tournament has been snubbed out of a mega-money payday with the BBC and ITV picking a trio of all Prem ties.
    Just three sides outside the top-flight will be shown on tele. More

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    FA Cup announce never-before-seen fixture after freak draw as police forced to intervene

    EVERTON fans will have to make a Thursday night trip to Crystal Palace for their FA Cup third-round tie.The Selhurst Park clash has been moved to January 4 at 8pm after talks between the Metropolitan Police and The FA.
    A new fixture has been introduced to the FA CupCredit: AP
    Everton will face Crystal Palace on a Thursday nightCredit: Getty
    There were concerns from The Met after ten London teams were drawn at home in the third round, stretching their resources.
    Palace’s meeting with The Toffees, which will be shown on ITV, kicks off the FA Cup action for the third round, with two other all-Premier League ties in the capital spread across the weekend.
    It is believed to be the first time in history that an FA Cup match has been played on a Thursday night as tradition is broken.
    Burnley visit Tottenham on the Friday night for another 8pm kick off on ITV while Arsenal vs Liverpool has been scheduled for 4.30pm on Sunday and will be shown on the BBC.
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    The Tyne-Wear derby at Sunderland (ITV) and Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa (BBC) have both been picked for TV on Saturday, January 6 while Wigan vs Manchester United will be shown on Monday, January 8 on ITV.
    Elsewhere in the FA Cup, the first-round clash between Forest Green Rovers and Scarborough Athletic is set to be replayed.

    This is due to the League Two outfit fielding and illegible player in the original clash.
    Protocol could be broken in that game as there will be no replay if it ends in a draw with a winner to be decided on the night.
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    Maidstone United, who play in the sixth tier, will not be shown as they face Stevenage or Port Vale.
    And non-league Alfreton Town need to overcome Walsall in a replay to earn a trip to Southampton – but that will also not be shown on tele.
    The selections made by the broadcasters have been slammed by fans as the lower league clubs have been snubbed from a mega-money payday.
    The FA Cup was won by Manchester City last season as they beat cross-city rivals Manchester United in the final at Wembley.
    FA CUP THIRD-ROUND DRAW IN FULL

    Luton vs Bolton
    Shrewsbury vs Wrexham or Yeovill
    Arsenal vs Liverpool
    Stoke vs Brighton
    Norwich vs Crewe Alexandra
    West Ham vs Bristol City
    Tottenham vs Burnley
    Fulham vs Rotherham
    West Brom vs Aldershot or Stockport
    Southampton vs Alfreton or Walsall
    AFC Wimbledon or Ramsgate vs Ipswich
    Peterborough vs Leeds
    Millwall vs Leicester
    Watford vs Chesterfield or Leyton Orient
    Sunderland vs Newcastle
    Sheffield Wednesday vs Cardiff City
    Crystal Palace vs Everton
    Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa
    Nottingham Forest vs Blackpool or Forest Green Rovers
    Wigan vs Man Utd
    Man City vs Huddersfield
    Blackburn vs Cambridge
    Gillingham vs Sheffield United
    Swansea City vs Morecambe
    Chelsea vs Preston North End
    QPR vs Bournemouth
    Coventry City vs Oxford United
    Brentford vs Wolves
    Plymouth Argyle vs Sutton United
    Maidstone United vs Stevenage or Port Vale
    Newport County or Barnet vs Eastleigh or Reading
    Hull City vs Birmingham City More

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    BBC and ITV picks for FA Cup third round revealed as fuming fans say ‘ridiculous.. who wants to watch them?’

    THE kick-off times and dates for the FA Cup third round have been released. With fans not happy about what fixtures have been selected for TV coverage.
    Spurs vs Burnley has been controversially chosen for TVCredit: PA
    Alfreton Town won’t get a mega-money payday should they beat Walsall in a replayCredit: Getty
    Matches will be on BBC and ITVCredit: @EmiratesFACup
    It all gets underway on January 4 as Crystal Palace welcome fellow Premier League side Everton at 8pm on ITV4.
    The match is scheduled for Thursday after talks with the Metropolitan Police.
    Cops were concerned due to ten London teams being drawn at home in the third round, stretching their resources.
    The day after, Tottenham face Burnley in another all Prem tie that gets underway at 8pm on ITV1.
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    The local derby between Sunderland and Newcastle kicks-off at 12.45pm on Saturday 6 January – another selected by ITV.
    With the 3pm blackout in place, the next instalment for fans will be at 5:30pm on BBC One as Middlesbrough entertain Aston Villa.
    The jam-packed weekend slows down with just one match live on Sunday – but it is a big one with Arsenal taking on Liverpool at the Emirates at 4:30pm on BBC One.
    And the third round will come to a close on Monday night at 8.15pm as Wigan play Manchester United on ITV1.
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    Maidstone United, who play in the sixth tier, will not be shown as they face Stevenage or Port Vale.
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    And non-league Alfreton Town need to overcome Walsall in a replay to earn a trip to Southampton – but that will also not be shown on tele.
    The selections made by the broadcasters have been slammed by fans as the lower league clubs have been snubbed from a mega-money payday.
    One said: “This is scandalous. Give the non-league teams some air time! I’d much rather watch Maidstone vs Port Vale/Stevenage than Tottenham vs Burnley. Disgraceful.”
    Another added: “My oh my they are stinking ties why are they selected for TV?”
    A third fumed: “What happened to the magic of the cup and giving lower league clubs a platform?”
    More commented: “Ridiculous who wants to watch them?”
    FA CUP THIRD-ROUND DRAW IN FULL
    Read more on The Sun

    Luton vs Bolton
    Shrewsbury vs Wrexham or Yeovill
    Arsenal vs Liverpool
    Stoke vs Brighton
    Norwich vs Crewe Alexandra
    West Ham vs Bristol City
    Tottenham vs Burnley
    Fulham vs Rotherham
    West Brom vs Aldershot or Stockport
    Southampton vs Alfreton or Walsall
    AFC Wimbledon or Ramsgate vs Ipswich
    Peterborough vs Leeds
    Millwall vs Leicester
    Watford vs Chesterfield or Leyton Orient
    Sunderland vs Newcastle
    Sheffield Wednesday vs Cardiff City
    Crystal Palace vs Everton
    Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa
    Nottingham Forest vs Blackpool or Forest Green Rovers
    Wigan vs Man Utd
    Man City vs Huddersfield
    Blackburn vs Cambridge
    Gillingham vs Sheffield United
    Swansea City vs Morecambe
    Chelsea vs Preston North End
    QPR vs Bournemouth
    Coventry City vs Oxford United
    Brentford vs Wolves
    Plymouth Argyle vs Sutton United
    Maidstone United vs Stevenage or Port Vale
    Newport County or Barnet vs Eastleigh or Reading
    Hull City vs Birmingham City More

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    FA Cup tie to be replayed after investigation with both teams set to break protocol if match is draw

    AN FA Cup tie is set to be replayed after an investigation into the eligibility of a player.The first-round clash between Forest Green Rovers and National League North side Scarborough Athletic will be played again on December 12.
    Forest Green Rovers and Scarborough Athletic will replay their FA Cup tieCredit: Getty
    The first match ended in a 5-2 win for the League Two side.
    However, it will have to be played again as confirmed by Forest Green Rovers.
    A club statement read: “Following an FA investigation into the eligibility of a Forest Green Rovers player, our FA Cup first-round tie at Scarborough Athletic will be replayed on Tuesday, December 12.
    “The tie will be settled on the night, with no replay in the event of a draw.
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    “The winner of the tie will play Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday, December 19.”
    The fixture will break protocol as there is no chance of a replay being played if it were to end in a draw.
    If the match ends in a draw then there will be extra time and a penalty shootout if needed.
    Forest Green Rovers were charged by the FA for fielding an ineligible player in the original fixture.
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    The club admitted to the charge with the game set to be replayed.
    A statement from the FA read: “A Professional Game Board Sub-Committee has ordered the Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper tie between Forest Green Rovers and Scarborough Athletic to be replayed on Tuesday 12 December at 19:45. 
    “The FA charged Forest Green Rovers for fielding an ineligible player in the Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper tie against Scarborough Athletic.
    “This constitutes a breach of FA Cup Rule 109, and Forest Green Rovers subsequently admitted this charge. “Forest Green Rovers will now play away to Scarborough Athletic in a one-off match on Tuesday 12 December.
    “The winner will travel away to Blackpool for a Second Round Proper match on Tuesday 19 December.”
    The winners will face Blackpool in the second round of the FA Cup on December 19. More

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    Gary Lineker reveals the sexual innuendo he made in BBC studio after FA Cup clash was interrupted by porn noises

    GARY LINEKER has opened up about being pranked by porn noises while presenting live on BBC One.The 63-year-old was hosting coverage of Wolves’ FA Cup clash with Liverpool when the incident occurred.
    BBC coverage was hit by a porn noise prankster back in JanuaryCredit: bbc
    Lineker and Shearer could barely hide their amusementCredit: bbc
    Lineker, Alan Shearer, Danny Murphy and Paul Ince were all left red faced as the sex noises bellowed around the studio.
    They carried on amid chaos and confusion behind-the-scenes as staff tried to work out where it was coming from.
    It was later revealed that notorious prankster Daniel Jarvis was the man behind it after a planted phone was found in the studio.
    And he was at it again on Saturday night as he disrupted the Euro 2024 draw with the same trick.
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    After football was targeted again by the man nicknamed “Jarvo69”, Lineker revealed what was going through his head at the time he fell victim.
    He told the Rest is Football podcast: “I suddenly heard it, the porn sounds and I thought has someone left the phone on?
    “Then I’m thinking is it over the main tannoy in the ground? But it was too loud.
    “I then realised it’s in the room and this is a prank as it started again after we cut back to the studio.
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    “You know it’s there and you allude to it, but you’ve got to carry on.
    “I then started doing innuendos, every analysis bit at half-time, I did ‘Liverpool are really good pushing out from the back’ and various things. It was a giggle.”
    Lineker has also made jokes about it when broadcasting for the first time after the prank, saying: “Six games on the way, let’s hope we’re not rudely interrupted.
    “Jermaine Jenas and Danny Murphy here. Danny, have you turned your phone off?”
    And when the two teams met again in the Premier League, Lineker again laughed: “We’ve got Liverpool and Wolves to come up a little later and the last time things got a little steamy.
    “Please tell me you’ve turned your phones off.” More

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    Laura Woods shares ‘wholesome’ moment from BBC FA Cup coverage leaving reporter’s ‘heart so full’

    LAURA WOODS made a reporter’s day by sharing a heartwarming throwback snap.The ITV and TNT Sports star was tagged in an amazing career fast-forward post by BBC London’s Ahmed Nur on Monday night.
    Laura Woods led ITV’s coverage of AFC Wimbledon’s FA Cup clash with RamsgateCredit: PA
    Woods was reunited with BBC reporter Ahmed Nur, who she met six years ago when he worked at WembleyCredit: INSTAGRAM@LAURAWOODS
    Nur’s Instagram story post included a selfie of himself and Woods in a lift six years ago, alongside a snap of them covering AFC Wimbledon’s FA Cup clash with Ramsgate.
    The pair were the picture of happiness as they posed for the pitchside photo, which had an inspirational accompanying caption.
    “2017 in a lift. 2023 in a cold Wimbledon. Tonight was fun. Cheers @laurawoodsy.”
    Woods, 36, was all too happy to share with her own 752,000 Instagram followers.
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    She wrote below the re-shared story: “This was very wholesome.
    “Met Ahmed when I was reporting on NFL and he was working at Wembley.
    “Now he works for BBC London. Chuffed to see you @ahmednur94.”
    Nur was buzzing with the reshare, sharing it on his story and writing: “Heart is so full.”
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    Laura Woods and Ahmed Nur watched AFC Wimledon thump Ramsgate 5-0Credit: PA
    Woods isn’t the only high-profile figure Nur has met at a footie stadium.
    The Beeb reporter has also met former Manchester United and England skipper David Beckham.
    Woods and Nur watched AFC Wimbledon end the third-round hopes of eighth-tier Ramsgate FC with a ruthless 5-0 win over the minnows.
    Ramsgate boss Ben Smith was proud as punch of his team’s efforts, telling the BBC: “You saw the difference in level, in their physicality.
    “When they pressed, it was a proper press, strong and aggressive.
    “They’ve not disrespected us, they’ve taken it professionally and shown what a great club it is, had us watched and done all the right things.
    “I told people before the game if we kept it under six I’d be very happy. I know it sounds defeatist but you have to be realistic as well.
    “The lads in our dressing room are at the end of their careers, we’re four leagues below and they’re a full-time outfit – they should be doing that.
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    “There were little spells where we gave a good account of ourselves but it was naivety.
    “We weren’t going to change the way we play, and I’m proud of the players for sticking to it.” More