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      Man Utd vs Fulham: Red Devils eyeing up second trophy of the season as they host Cottagers in FA cup clash – TV, stream

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will be hoping to get past Fulham in their FA Cup quarter-final tie as they look for their second trophy of the season.The Red Devils have won the Carabao Cup already this season following their triumph against Newcastle in February.
      Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes lift the Carabao Cup trophy
      United have a huge chance to claim three trophies this campaign as they progressed to the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday night.
      It’s been a successful season so far for Erik ten Hag’s side, who currently sit 3rd in the Premier League hoping to claim a place in next year’s Champions League.
      When is Man Utd vs Fulham?

      Man United vs Fulham will take place on Sunday, March 19.
      Kick off will be at 4:30pm UK time.
      Old Trafford will play host.

      What channel is Man Utd vs Fulham on?

      Man United vs Fulham will be shown live on ITV1.
      Coverage will start at 3:45pm UK time.
      Commentary will be from Sam Matterface and Lee Dixson, with analysis from Roy Keane and Ian Wright.

      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Can I live stream Man Utd vs Fulham FREE?

      Man United vs Fulham will be available to stream FREE via the ITVX app, providing you have a valid TV license.
      You can download the ITVX app for free onto your mobile or tablet device.
      The ITVX website is also available on laptops and desktops.

      What is the latest team news?
      Casemiro will be unavailable as he serves the first of his four-match domestic suspension.
      Antony Martial could return to the squad following his time out with a hip injury.
      Alejandro Garnacho left Old Trafford last week on crutches after sustaining an ankle injury, meaning he could face time on the sidelines.
      Most read in Football
      Antony is also a doubt after he missed Thursday’s trip to Spain due to illness.
      United will definitely be without long-term absentees Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen for their FA Cup clash with Fulham.
      For the Cottagers, they will be handed a timely boost following Joao Palhinha’s return from suspension.
      Loanee right-back Cedric Soares will return to the squad after he was unable to play his parent side Arsenal last weekend.
      Willian also missed the game against his former employers with a sore back but could return for Sunday’s game at Old Trafford.
      Neeskens Kebano, Tom Cairney and Layvin Kurzawa are all unavailable for Fulham’s FA Cup quarter-final clash.
      Odds

      Man Utd – 4/9
      Draw – 17/5
      Fulham – 6/1

      *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and are correct at the time of publication. More

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      Don Megson dead at 86: Tributes paid to Sheffield Wednesday legend who captained side in 1966 FA Cup final

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      SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY’S legendary defender Don Megson has sadly passed away at the age of 86.The Owls icon captained the team in the 1966 FA Cup final which they lost 3-2 to Everton.
      Sheffield Wednesday legend Don Megson has passed away at the age of 86Credit: Rex
      Megson, centre, played nearly 400 games for Sheffield WednesdayCredit: Getty
      Reporter Alan Biggs confirmed the news on social media on Thursday morning.
      He tweeted: “Very sad news. Been asked to post on behalf of the family that Don Megson has left us at the age of 86.
      “A Sheffield Wednesday icon (1959-69). Captained #SWFC in ‘66 FA Cup final.
      “Son Gary says Don passed peacefully.
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      “Such a fine player & man. RIP.
      “Don Megson was an inspiring leader & a driving left back, one of the top players in the land, during his great career with @swfc.”
      He then went on to add: “A true gent.”
      One fan replied: “Sad news. Wednesday legend status without a shadow of doubt.”
      Most read in Football
      Another added: “Such sad news. Don was one of my earliest memories of following Sheffield Wednesday. Condolences to Gary and the Megson family and to everyone connected to the club. RIP Don.”
      And a third added: “My first Wednesday captain. What a commanding and dignified character. A great loss to the Owls’ family. Condolences to his loved ones RIP Don #swfc.”
      Megson spent a decade with Sheffield Wednesday from 1959 to 1969, racking up nearly 400 appearances for the club.
      In the ’66 FA Cup final, Megson and Wednesday experienced heartbreak as Everton came from 2-0 down to beat them 3-2 in a thriller.
      In between his decade in Sheffield, Megson also featured for Mossley and Bristol Rovers, hanging up his boots in 1971.
      He enjoyed an 11-year career in management, coaching Bristol Rovers to Watney Cup glory in just his third game in charge.
      He spent five years with the English outfit before leaving in 1977.
      He then went on to spend two years with Portland Timbers, before a brief stint at Bournemouth in 1983.
      He captained Sheffield Wednesday in the 1966 FA Cup finalCredit: Getty
      He also became a coach after hanging up his boots in 1971Credit: Rex More

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      Gary Lineker will return to Match of the Day in days, BBC confirms as broadcaster apologises for row but host DOESN’T

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      THE BBC apologised today as they confirmed Gary Lineker will return for FA Cup coverage following a row over his inflammatory migrant tweets.The announcement comes amid a wave of fury from Tory MPs over the crisis after the pundit failed to apologise himself.
      Gary Lineker will return to his Match of the Day hosting duties this weekendCredit: BBC
      The pundit, pictured today, has failed to apologise for his commentsCredit: Getty
      Lineker, 62, will return to screens to front Saturday’s FA Cup action after a weekend of chaos saw schedules changed last-minute and a different format for Match of the Day.
      The BBC is now going to review its social media guidelines as Director General Tim Davie apologised for the “difficult period” for staff, presenters and audiences.
      But Lineker’s failure to say sorry himself today has already attracted criticism.
      Tory MP Tom Hunt said: “There has been no apology from Lineker for the grossly offensive remarks he made that would have offended millions of people who are forced to make a contribution to his salary.
      Read more on the row
      “What the BBC say about a social media review all seems rather vague and I fear it will just be a white wash.
      “We can’t allow ‘freelancers’ who are paid millions by the taxpayer and are widely perceived to be BBC employees to act with impunity when it comes to impartiality rules.
      “Even before this there was growing momentum and support from the public for abolishing the licence fee. This will only boost that.”
      Lineker said in a brief statement he is “glad we have found a way forward” and threw his support behind the planned review.
      Most read in Football
      The commentator also broke his Twitter silence to double-down on his remarks after what he branded a “surreal few days”.
      He said he was “delighted to have navigated a way through this” as he thanked his colleagues for their “incredible support” and “remarkable show of solidarity”.
      Lineker said: “I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost 3 decades and am immeasurably proud to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world.
      “I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday.
      “A final thought: however difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away. It’s heartwarming to have seen the empathy towards their plight from so many of you.”
      Lineker also thanked Mr Davie for his “understanding during this difficult period”.
      He added: “He has an almost impossible job keeping everybody happy, particularly in the area of impartiality. I am delighted that we’ll continue to fight the good fight, together.”
      The BBC Board has welcomed the agreement, saying it is “the right time” to review its social media guidelines and “impartiality is a cornerstone of the BBC”.
      But the decision to review the BBC’s social media guidelines could prove a humiliating own goal for Mr Davie as they were written at his request in 2020 to include the “Lineker Clause”.
      This stated higher-profile presenters had an extra responsibility to avoid taking sides on political issues.
      Mr Davie said today impartiality is “important” to the BBC and the public but admitted there is a “difficult balancing act”.
      He added: “The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised.
      “I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air.”
      A review – supported by Lineker – will be led by an independent expert in due course.
      He will “abide by the editorial guidelines” until that report is complete, Mr Davie confirmed.

      He added: “Gary is a valued part of the BBC and I know how much the BBC means to Gary, and I look forward to him presenting our coverage this coming weekend.”
      The row erupted after Lineker criticised Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s small boats plan.
      The legislation will see migrants swiftly detained and removed to either their country of origin or a safe third state within 28 days.
      Sharing the clip, Lineker said: “Good heavens, this is beyond awful.”
      Responding to another user who described him as “out of order”, he added: “We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.
      “This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?”
      Lineker was accused by the BBC of breaking their strict impartiality rules that state staff must “avoid taking sides on political controversies” and “take care when addressing public policy matters”.
      The BBC said the pundit’s comments were a “breach of our guidelines”.
      Ms Braverman later said his comments were “offensive”.
      She added: “To kind of throw out those kind of flippant analogies diminishes the unspeakable tragedy that millions of people went through…
      “And I don’t think anything that is happening in the UK today can come close to what happened in the Holocaust.”
      The broadcaster revealed on Friday he had been suspended and would not host Saturday’s Match of the Day – sparking a mutiny among his co-stars.
      Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards refused to fill in with the football analysis show plunged into crisis.
      Saturday’s night episode later aired with a stripped-back, 20 minute version that did not even feature the iconic theme tune.
      Football Focus, Final Score, the Fighting Talk podcast and 5Live’s 606 football phone in were all canned as schedules were sent spiralling.
      And last night’s Match Of The Day 2 ran for just 14 minutes, again with no commentary or presenters.
      Mr Davie told the BBC on Saturday he would “absolutely not” quit amid the fallout.
      Asked if he was sorry about the way he handled the row, he added: “We made decisions and I made decisions based on a real passion about what the BBC is and it’s difficult.”
      Prime Minister Rishi Sunak waded into the row on Saturday, saying the Lineker’s suspension is “rightly a matter” for the BBC, not him or Government.
      He added that while he respected “not everyone will always agree” with Government policies, he praised the pundit for being a “great footballer and talented presenter”.
      Read More on The Sun
      BBC director general Tim Davie has apologised over the rowCredit: Pixel8000
      The pundit sparked a mutiny when he was suspended by the BBCCredit: LNP
      Lineker has presented Match of the Day since 1999Credit: BBC
      The BBC accused the ex-footballer of breaking impartiality rulesCredit: Alamy More

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      Gary Lineker WILL be back on the BBC for next weekend’s FA cup coverage after a deal was struck in tense crisis talks

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      GARY Lineker will front the BBC’s FA Cup coverage next Saturday after the under fire host struck a deal with the BBC today.The agreement will be announced tomorrow after tense talks, following a weekend of TV mayhem caused by the Nazi tweets row.
      Gary Lineker will return to host the BBC’s FA Cup coverage next weekendCredit: BBC
      Gary Lineker was seen walking his dog today amid the ongoing rowCredit: Reuters
      Director General Tim Davie has been under massive pressure to find a solutionCredit: AFP
      MPs and pals of Lineker will pore over the details to see who has backed down.
      It risks a potentially explosive new row between the BBC and the Tory party if the star presenter has neither apologised or agreed to abide by impartiality rules in the future.
      Director General Tim Davie has been under massive pressure to find a solution after schedules were hammered both yesterday and today.
      A TV source said: “Gary will be back to host the BBC’s FA Cup coverage. A deal has been struck.
      Read More on this story
      “If the BBC have agreed to allow him to keep tweeting his anti-Tory views, it will be seen as a major victory for Gary, but the details of the deal are unclear at this stage.”
      Next weekend’s FA Cup quarter final coverage includes Manchester City against Burnley on Saturday and Man U vs Fulham on Sunday.
      The row was triggered when the veteran broadcaster responded to a video on Twitter of Home Secretary Suella Braverman as she presented the Government’s small boats plan.
      The legislation will see migrants swiftly detained and removed to either their country of origin or a safe third state within 28 days.
      Most read in Football
      Sharing the clip, Mr Lineker said: “Good heavens, this is beyond awful.”
      Responding to another user who described him as “out of order”, he added: “We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.
      “This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?”
      The BBC said the pundit’s comments on Twitter were a “breach of our guidelines”.
      Ms Braverman later said his comments were “offensive”.
      She added: “To kind of throw out those kind of flippant analogies diminishes the unspeakable tragedy that millions of people went through…
      “And I don’t think anything that is happening in the UK today can come close to what happened in the Holocaust.”
      Match Of The Day ran for just 20 minutes last night – without commentary or even the iconic theme tune – as the crisis-hit BBC struggled to get the flagship highlights show on-air.
      Football Focus, Final Score, the Fighting Talk podcast and 5Live’s 606 football phone in were all canned yesterday as the staff uprising sent schedules into meltdown.
      And tonight’s Match Of The Day 2 will run for just 14 minutes, again with no commentary or presenters.
      Mr Davie told the BBC on Saturday he would “absolutely not” quit amid a fallout that has bought the corporation to its knees.
      He described the unfolding disaster as a “difficult day” and apologised for the disruption to BBC sports programming.
      Asked if he was sorry about the way he handled the furore, Mr Davie told the BBC on Saturday: “We made decisions and I made decisions based on a real passion about what the BBC is and it’s difficult.”
      He insisted the row is about impartiality.
      Gary’s tweets were said to break the BBC’s strict impartiality rules which state that staff must “avoid taking sides on political controversies” and “take care when addressing public policy matters”.
      RISHI’S RESPONSE
      It comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pleaded for some “perspective” following the Lineker row.
      Mr Sunak warned the BBC is “not about one person” as Corporation bosses scrambled to find a solution to the impartiality row with their highest paid star.
      Speaking to reporters on his way to California, the PM said on Sunday the crisis was for not for the Government to step into but for “them to sort out, between Gary Lineker, the BBC and their presenters.”
      He added: “I think the issue between Gary Lineker and the BBC is one they should resolve.
      “I hope they can resolve it in a timely fashion.”
      Meanwhile The Sun’s Trevor Kavanagh said the row has dealt a killer blow to Lineker’s own beloved BBC.
      The columnist blasted the corporation as being “colonised by the Guardian-reading liberal elite” for whom “the trigger word ‘Tory’ sends them groping for the garlic and crucifix”.
      Read More on The Sun
      And he suggested “Lineker must know he is out of order” following the inflammatory tweets.
      Tory Deputy Chairman Lee Anderson later fumed: “MOTD is old ex footballers ripping off the public by chatting nonsense instead of showing more football.” More

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      Gary Lineker set to return to Match Of The Day for FA Cup next week after crunch talks with the BBC over Nazi tweet row

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      GARY Lineker is set to return to Match Of The Day for the FA Cup next week after crunch talks with the BBC over the Nazi tweet row. The 62-year-old pundit refused to address the ongoing row over his inflammatory posts comparing the government’s new Illegal Migration Bill to 1930s Nazi Germany, which saw him taken off air.
      Gary Lineker is likely to return to the BBC in a matter of days, sources sayCredit: LNP
      Lineker has been in crunch talks with his employer over Nazi tweetsCredit: BBC
      The 62-year-old has today refused to say anything on the matterCredit: Getty
      At around 12.30pm today, he was spotted walking his dog outside his home in West London.
      Asked whether he still wanted to work at the Beeb or if he was in talks with the director general about his future, the ex-England star simply stated: “I can’t say anything.”
      But, just hours later it was said he was likely to return to TV in a matter of days – with sources saying BBC boss Tim Davie wants Lineker back on the telly.
      An insider told the Telegraph: “Tim Davie has been clear that he wants to resolve the situation and see the MOTD presenter back on air.
      Read more on Gary Lineker
      “Gary and his representatives have been in talks for a number of days and these are ongoing.”
      Lineker was told to step back from hosting Match Of The Day while bosses try to get him to agree to stop posting political messages online.
      His likening of Tory immigration rhetoric and Nazi Germany sparked outrage in some quarters – with Home Secretary Suella Braverman claiming his comments diminished the tragedy of the Holocaust.
      It was said to break the BBC’s strict impartiality rules which state that staff must “avoid taking sides on political controversies” and “take care when addressing public policy matters”.
      Most read in Football
      BBC pundits and commentators refused to work following the backlash, deciding to support longstanding presenter Lineker.
      It caused a football blackout, with several TV and radio programmes, including the Saturday edition of Match of the Day, Football Focus and Final Score, disrupted or forced off air following a boycott by figures like Ian Wright, Alan Shearer and Alex Scott.
      Sunday night’s edition of MOTD2 will air – but without presenters or commentary.
      The Beeb does not have the rights required to use world feed commentary, an issue that saw last night’s 20-minute broadcast go without.
      Commentator Guy Mowbray tweeted: “As yesterday, there will be no ‘normal’ MOTD(2) programme tonight.
      “The scheduled commentary team are in full agreement with our BBC Sport colleagues. We hope that a resolution can be found ASAP.”
      Tonight’s programme will show only highlights of Manchester United vs Southampton, West Ham vs Aston Villa and Fulham vs Arsenal and Newcastle vs Wolves.
      There was also no pre-game chat before this afternoon’s Women’s Super League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United amid the storm.
      It follows several last-minute timetable changes yesterday which resulted in Football Focus and Final Score being scrapped from the BBC One schedule.
      MOTD, which Lineker has hosted for almost 25 years, was cut to just 20 minutes, with no commentary, analysis or interviews.
      It also went out without its famous theme tune – instead broadcasting only short highlight clips of the day’s matches.
      It did, however, see its viewing figures soar by 500,000 to 2.6million – the highest number since November 2022.
      MOT2 will take a similar “reduced” format at 10:30pm after host Mark Chapman decided not to present for BBC Radio 5 Live Sport on Saturday and pundit Jermain Defoe announced he would not appear on the Sunday highlights programme.
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      BBC Radio 5 Live was yesterday forced to cancel its coverage of Saturday’s football after Chapman, 59, and co-presenter Colin Murray, 46, pulled out in support of Lineker.
      It followed similar boycotts from other high-profile names, includingKelly Somers and Jason Mohammad, who stood down in solidarity with Lineker.
      The BBC said it would air only “limited sport programming” over the weekend and was “working hard to resolve the situation”.
      In a statement, a spokesperson said: “We are sorry for these changes which we recognise will be disappointing for BBC sport fans.”
      BBC’s Davie later apologised personally for the disruption to the sport schedule but insisted he will not resign from his role.
      On Saturday, Bargain Hunt aired in place of Football Focus on BBC One at noon, while The Repair Shop ran instead of Final Score at 4.30pm.
      BBC presenter Murray tweeted that 5 Live’s Fighting Talk was not airing “for obvious reasons” in a decision by the entire team.
      Pre-recorded content replaced the live broadcasts, with Kammy & Ben’s Proper Football Podcast aired during Fighting Talk’s slot followed by The Footballer’s Football Podcast, which played on Radio 5 Live when 5 Live Sport would have aired.
      The 606 phone-in show with Robbie Savage and Chris Sutton was also pulled, replaced by a Eurovision podcast.
      Pundit Glenn Murray pulled out of appearing on Football Focus and Final Score on Saturday while fellow former players Dion Dublin and Leon Osman were among those announcing their absence from coverage.
      Mohammad also confirmed he would not be hosting Final Score.
      ‘VERY DIFFICULT DAY’
      On Friday evening, several MOTD commentators shared a joint statement online, announcing they would be stepping down from Saturday’s broadcast.
      The group, including Steve Wilson, Conor McNamara, Robyn Cowen and Steven Wyeth, said they did “not feel it would be appropriate to take part in the programme” given the current circumstances.
      Ian Dennis, a BBC employee, did cover Leeds against Brighton for 5 Live radio but said it was a “very difficult day”.
      Lineker was taken off air for a tweet which compared the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy tackling evil people traffickers with Nazi Germany.
      The broadcaster said it had “decided” Lineker would take a break from presenting the highlights programme until an “agreed and clear position” on his use of social media had been reached.
      Former BBC director-general Greg Dyke said the corporation had made a “mistake” and “undermined its own credibility” by taking Lineker off air.
      A spokesman for the Professional Footballers’ Association said in a statement on Twitter that it had “been informed that players involved in Saturday’s games will not be asked to participate in interviews with Match Of The Day”.
      I disagree with Gary Lineker on small boats profoundly.Jeremy HuntChancellor
      PM Rishi Sunak said he hopes the free speech row ends “in a timely manner”- but that it was a matter for the BBC, not Government.
      Conservative politicians have lined up to slam Mr Lineker, who is on a taxpayer-funded salary of £1,350,000.
      Jeremy Hunt today said he “profoundly disagrees” with the controversial comments made.
      The Chancellor told Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Sky News: “I disagree with Gary Lineker on small boats profoundly.
      “I personally think that he was wrong to say what he said.”
      MP Simon Clarke echoed his words, telling the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “I disagree very profoundly with what Gary Lineker said.
      “I think the comparisons to 1930s as he’s made are deeply inappropriate and actually very tasteless.”
      Asked why it matters what a sports presenter says, he replied: “Mr Lineker has a huge reach and the reality is that he is obviously operating on a publicly-funded broadcaster, he is someone whose platform largely derives from his role at the BBC, he’s saying things which are partisan and I think which are also deeply unfair.”
      ‘TASTELESS TWEET’
      He called the situation a “mess” and said the BBC needs to resolve “ambiguity” in its guidelines as Lineker is freelance a sports presenter, not a political journalist.
      Mr Clarke continued: “I don’t like cancel culture of any kind, I don’t like to see people being taken off air.”
      Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer also waded into the row, saying: “The BBC has a 10-point plan in relation to impartiality.
      “It is absolutely important that it maintains impartiality so that the public retains trust in it.”
      In the Commons, DUP MP Gregory Campbell called for “multimillionaire lefty Lineker” to have his pay docked.
      And Red Wall MP Brendan Clarke-Smith said: “Whilst the elderly lost their free licence, the BBC have now given Gary Lineker a different sort of free license – one that allows him to say what he wants, when he wants and without fear of sanction.
      “Everybody is entitled to their opinions, but as a public service broadcaster you would expect the BBC to hold him to the same standards they would expect from other members of their staff, who would not get away with such appalling comparisons.”
      The Illegal Migration Bill bans migrants who arrive on small boats from ever settling in Britain.
      Read More on The Sun
      The legislation will see migrants swiftly detained and removed to either their country of origin or a safe third state within 28 days.
      Ms Braverman has repeatedly insisted the plan does not break the law, and said the country’s top legal minds have worked day and night to ensure it’s feasible.
      There was no pre-game chat as Chelsea took on Manchester United in WSL todayCredit: Getty

      Alex Scott was one of the many BBC pundits and commentators who backed Lineker amid the stormCredit: Getty More

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      Man City’s FA Cup clash against Burnley could look very different on TV with no build-up or post-match reaction

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      VINCENT KOMPANY’S FA Cup return to Manchester City could be the next high-profile victim of the Gary Lineker Tweet storm.Kompany takes his Burnley side to the Etihad for a tea-time kick-off next Saturday that is due to be screened by the BBC.
      Vincent Kompany is set to take his Burnley side to Man City next weekCredit: Alamy
      Gary Lineker was pulled from Match of the DayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But unless there is a resolution to the row that has rocked the Corporation, fans tuning in may just see the match without any build-up or post-game reaction – and with a break for other programming at half-time.
      Burnley’s clash at City and Sunday’s last eight tie between Brighton and Grimsby are now at risk of being scaled-down productions as the crisis continues.
      The FA will hope for a resolution over the coming days although talks with broadcasters may take place if the situation escalates further. 
      BBC sport output was slashed yesterday as presenters, pundits and commentators on television AND radio refused to work in protest at Lineker’s effective suspension.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      After the Beeb announced on Friday that last night’s edition of Match of the Day would be composed purely of match highlights with no studio presentation or punditry, the knock-on effect was felt across the network.
      Presenter Alex Scott and others pulled out of the lunchtime Football Focus show, which was replaced by Bargain Hunt.
      Final Score’s lead presenter Jason Mohammad and his colleagues also joined the boycott in protest at the treatment of Lineker, with the Beeb scheduling The Repair Shop instead.
      And the backlash spread to Radio Five Live, initially with Colin Murray confirming the live recording of Fighting Talk would not take place “for obvious reasons”.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      With presenter Mark Chapman withdrawing his services along with the scheduled Prem commentators, there was no Sport on Five either, with a series of pre-recorded podcasts filling the airwaves.
      The growing off-field drama saw Prem chiefs intervene to ensure players at yesterday’s six games were not put in a position where they would be embarrassed by being asked to appear in front of the BBC cameras for post-match interviews.
      In a statement, the PFA said: “We have been informed that players involved in today’s games will not be asked to participate in interviews with Match of the Day
      “The PFA have been speaking to members who wanted to take a collective position and to be able to show their support for those with chosen not to be part of tonight’s programme
      “During those conversations we make clear that, as their union, we would support all members who might face consequences for choosing not to complete their broadcast commitments.
      “This is a common sense decision that ensures players won’t now be put in that position.”
      The expectation is that Match of the Day 2 tomorrow night will also be a pundit and presenter-free zone after Jermain Defoe announced: “It is always a privilege to work with BBC MOTD.
      “But tomorrow I have taken the decision to stand down from my punditry duties.”
      In addition to the live FA Cup ties, next weekend’s Match of the Day broadcasts could again be affected, although there would then be a two-week window for the March international break which could allow time to find a solution. More

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      Why do Grimsby fans wave inflatable fish during FA Cup games?

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      GRIMSBY TOWN have made it to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 84 years.They knocked out Premier League side Southampton in the FA Cup 5th Round after beating them 2-1 at St Mary’s, thanks to a brace of penalties from Gavan Holohan.
      Jubulent Grimsby fans during their FA Cup tie against Southampton
      The League Two side travel to another Premier League outfit in Brighton for their huge FA Cup quarter-final tie.
      Grimsby are sitting comfortably in 16th place in League Two, so all their focus will be on the Brighton game on March 19th.
      Why do Grimsby fans wave inflatable fish?
      Mariners fans have been waving inflatable fish, which supporters call Harry the Haddock, for more than 34 years.
      Fans bring out Harry the Haddock for big games like their FA Cup fifth-round clash with Southampton.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      The Saints initially rejected Grimsby’s request to bring Harry the Haddock to St Mary’s.
      However, they later changed their mind, and Harry the Haddock made the long trip to Hampshire along with an abundance of Grimsby fans.
      A spokesperson for the club said: “Haddock is back on the menu.
      “Our supporters can now look forward to playing in the last 16 of the FA Cup for the first time since 1996, safe in the knowledge that Harry Haddock will also be at Southampton to mark the occasion.”
      Most read in FA Cup
      Who started Harry the Haddock?
      Local football writer Nigel Lowther joked about ordering some inflatable fish after a game Grimsby won.
      Fans soon caught on and were soon snapping up all of the inflatable fish around the town.
      The Harry the Haddock revelation came off the back of Manchester City fans taking inflatable bananas to matches.
      On the opening day of the 1987 Division Two season, City fan Frank Newton took an inflatable banana with him to watch his side take on Plymouth Argyle at Maine Road. More

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      Tottenham board fume at FA Cup exit with Harry Kane benched despite Levy and co expecting a proper go at winning trophy

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      TOTTENHAM’S board are fuming at the team’s limp FA Cup exit on Wednesday.Spurs crashed out to Championship side Sheffield United, who were rewarded with a favourable quarter-final draw at home to Blackburn.
      Sub Harry Kane came on in vain as a weakened Spurs side slumped out of the FA Cup, 1-0 at Sheffield UnitedCredit: Getty
      Chairman Daniel Levy was among board members upset by Tottenham’s approach to the last-16 FA Cup tieCredit: Alamy
      And SunSport can reveal the board were furious with their approach, having expected  a proper go at trying to win a first trophy in 15 years.
      Spurs started with  star striker Harry Kane on the bench and produced an insipid display — though stand-in boss Cristian Stellini said after the match he had no regrets over team selection.
      Now, ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wolves, it leaves a tilt at Champions League glory as the only realistic way to avoid another trophyless campaign.
      Spurs host AC Milan on Wednesday in their last-16 second leg, having lost  1-0 in Italy.

      The last time Tottenham won silverware was with their League Cup triumph in 2008.
      Stellini has taken charge of the team in Antonio Conte’s absence as the Spurs chief recovers from gallbladder surgery.
      The 48-year-old is well liked by the squad but revealed he had shown “a different face” to the players after the  defeat  in Sheffield.
      Stellini said: “I was disappointed. It’s normal that everyone shows anger after the game.
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      “Maybe it was time to show (the players) a  different face.”
      Conte will be absent from the Wolves game  but will  be back in the dugout for the clash with Milan.
      Stellini revealed: “Antonio’s frustration at not being here is huge.”
      Daniel Levy fuelled speculation of a possible Spurs takeover by meeting Iranian-American billionaire Jahm Najafi for the first time yesterday.
      The Spurs chairman spoke with Najafi in the paddock ahead of Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
      Najafi, who is chairman of investment company MSP Sports Capital and vice-chair of McLaren, is understood to be working with a consortium on a bid of more than £3billion.
      Jeff Moorad, MSP’s chief executive and Najafi’s right-hand man, is a Tottenham fan.
      Spurs announced a 15-year “strategic partnership” with F1 on Tuesday, which would see them build a go-kart track beneath their stadium.
      Meanwhile, Spurs’ right-back Emerson Royal has been rewarded for his fine club form with a recall to the Brazil squad. More