Fans left reeling with decision made over Exeter v Bradford FA Cup tie

Fans have been left reeling with a decision made over the Exeter City v Bradford City FA Cup First Round Proper replay tie.

The Bantams discovered earlier this week that they could have been handed a lifeline after the club confirmed an investigation was underway following the Grecians’ use of six substitutes in Tuesday night’s encounter.

Exeter went on to win the game 3-0 in extra time, but changed five players during the goalless 90 minutes.

They then brought on Josh Key for Sam Nombe at the start of extra time, and under FA Cup rules this season clubs can bring on five players during a game, including extra time, with a sixth allowed for a concussion.

Well since then, a further statement has been issued and you can find out what was said below…

THE FA STATEMENT:

An extraordinary incident report was submitted by the match referee which stated that Exeter City had used a sixth substitute during their Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper Replay against Bradford City on Tuesday 16 November 2021.

The FA conducted an investigation and referred all of its information to the Professional Game Board [PGB] in accordance with the rules of the competition.

After considering all of its options, and taking into account all of the relevant factors, the PGB agreed that the result of the match should not stand.

The PGB deemed that the most appropriate action would be for the match to be replayed in its entirety and has ordered for this to take place at Exeter City’s St James Park on Tuesday 30 November at 19:45.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

As mentioned, some fans are left reeling with a decision made over the Exeter v Bradford FA Cup tie, while others had something else to say…

@odb1912: No one that to happen omg

@wearelutontown: Football is very much a decided how we feel on the day kinda effort now, utter shambles of a footballing authority.

@mclovinstatfan: this is hilarious hahahahaha

@CallumPiercy: @officialbantams please don’t agree to this! 3 away trips to Exeter before Christmas is a joke!

@DanielJonKnight: Fucking brilliant 😂😂😂

@kingsmithy7: Doesn’t seem fair

@craigymac8: very bizzare and odd decision.

@ScottMcShagger: Woooooow

@AlexJCambs: The winner of the replayed replay (god that sounds stupid) will travel to The Abbey four days later. What a mess…

@JoeStephenson96: Disgraceful cheating from Exeter, as punishment I think whoever they play on Saturday should be awarded 3 points. It is only fair.

@jbentley1994: Aye, because we really want to travel 5 hours down to Exeter for the third time this season 😳 Tell the FA we aren’t bothered, or send the U16s

@smit112: You give the win to Bradford surely? Also why has the ref allowed it to happen. Seems like a massive waste of everyone’s time.

@WayneMClarke4: Feel sorry for Bradford fans who have to travel down there again. Weird decision to replayed a replay match though 😳

@jack_thompson11: Isn’t it Exeter who are meant to be the ones punished, not us? Another Tuesday night at the other end of the country expecting fans to travel. Either replay at VP or send us through to round 2. #bcafc

@markyoung1990: Whom is getting punished here? Another ten hour round journey and an extra match for #bcafc on top of the original replay and extra time. Seems reasonable 🙄

@hickeybcfc: The most bradford city thing ever

@wiltufc: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

@bcafcjess: so our lot have to travel down again? on a tuesday night? when it’s not even our issue? yeh okay fairs

@MatthewV_ENG: Exeter v Bradford III: The Trilogy Fight

@pideson: Exeter better be paying for the players and the 86 #bcafc ticket holders to fly to the game and back.

@joelshooterfoot: A true Derek Adams masterclass.

@_BenWills: Players have played 120 minutes for absolutely nothing, not to mention the awful travel involved for Bradford.

@AndyDCollinson: This is more of a punishment for @officialbantams than for @OfficialECFC! Shocking decision.

@b1889c: Absolutely class action from the FA as per

@TUSSFC: What a ridiculous decision

@BENditlikeLAKE: Yet another massive fuck you to the fans. Governing bodies simply couldn’t give a shit

@seank1203: Break the rules usually result in a 3-0 forfiet???

@BcafcHamish: Why are we getting punished?

@_RyMcCluskey: Worst possible outcome really that

@TCMrmn: This is a complete joke. If I were Bradford I wouldn’t show up for the game but suppose that would carry a fine

@fabianautiero: Yes it’s shit that we’ve got to go down there again. But, what does this mean for Lee Angol’s red card? Surely if we’re continuing forward as if the initial replay didn’t take place, then his ban shouldn’t stand either..?

@ShumLAD: Are @OfficialECFC paying our expenses for travelling back down due to their incompetence?

@_JosephRoberto: This is pizza cup levels of inconvenience.

@GWReds: Hahahahahah #STFC

@LeonImber: What a mental situation having to replay a replay. At all unfair on the Bradford fans who travelled/will travel?

@EthanRUFC: This would be hilarious if Exeter won again

@olpafc_: Harsh on the Bradford fans

@TheDB30: So it’s an FA Cup 1st Round Replay Replay? 🤔

@emesel79: As harsh as it would be, Exeter should be eliminated for breaking the competition rules.

@dalebarrass1: If I’m Bradford I’m not doing this. All that travelling again fuck that

@misselisehartt: Fans having to travel down to Exeter for the 3rd time this season what a fucking farse that is. Rather let them have it, too many players picking injuries up.

@5ci_fi: Had this happened in the qualifiers between non-league clubs then it would have been immediate expulsion from the competition. Why are there different rules for league clubs?

@sevnhills: So basically WE are being punished because Exeter can’t count?!

@dannyfarrar91: What a ridiculous decision 🤣 just fine them or summat, it’s a game no one wants or needs…

@hraarmstrong: How does something like this go unspotted by clubs, officials or supporters at the time??

@MikePatersonFX: I’ve no club axe to grind here but surely the FA are also culpable by virtue of the 4th Official allowing this substitution to take place or did I miss something? #JustAsking #CommonSense

@smudge7723: Shouldn’t they just have took them out of the cup, they obviously must have known what they were doing.

@stoylesey: If we’re 1-0 down with 10 mins to go then just stick 6 players on the pitch and we can try again #BCAFC

@bcafcwin: @FA you’re an absolute disgrace. No thought for any players, staff and fans welfare. Either give Exeter the win and massive fine, or us the game. No one wants to replay. Not fit for purpose. #BCAFC

@ScudzTV: The officiating at our level is riduclous man 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ We’ve got to replay, a cup replay (where we lost) because the opposition brought on one too many subs.

@Nathan_7788: Cheating but get another chance? Surely you just throw the game to play fair ye

@Taylor_bcafc: Just dont turn up for the replay and take the 3-0. #bcafc

@JLM_1903: Fair play If anyone goes to Exeter for the replay of the replay #BCAFC

Derek Adams after winning a scruffy 0-1 against Exeter in the 3rd replay.#BCAFC pic.twitter.com/hjwxSamyQD

— Have Bradford City Won Today? (@bcafcwin) November 18, 2021