Fans vent anger as FA Cup schedules sees just 10 of the 32 games kicking off at 3pm

Fans have vented their anger as the FA Cup television schedules sees just 10 of the 32 games kicking off at 3pm.

The Football Supporters’ Federation say that the ‘magic’ of the competition is being ruined after a whopping 22 matches were moved to be broadcasted live in the UK and overseas.

 

Speaking to The Times, FSF chairman Malcolm Clarke said: “This has gone too far and it is taking away some of the magic of the FA Cup.

“The third round on Saturday afternoon is one of the enduring traditions of a wonderful competition.

“To have fewer than a third of the 32 matches kicking off at 3pm on Saturday is both extraordinary and very sad.

“The FSF does understand that the FA is a non-profit making organisation and will be re-investing any surpluses into the game, so at least this is not a league doing it for profit, but I would question the necessity of this, and also the value of it in the longer term.

“If you start taking the magic out of the FA Cup then the danger is that people start losing interest in it.”

A spokesperson from the FA said: “A selection of the Emirates FA Cup third-round fixtures have been picked for domestic and overseas television coverage as part of the new international broadcast deal for the competition.

“The new deal, which began this season, will see more money than ever before reinvested back into English football and prize money doubled to over £30.2m – with a guaranteed £4m distributed to non-league clubs.

“In addition, the new deal will provide an increased level of investment into grassroots football pitches, facilities and participation programmes across England.”

 

After finding out that 22 FA Cup third round matches are moved to be shown on television in the UK and overseas, fans vented out their anger – take a look at what they have been saying on the next page.

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