Peterborough United the slam FA Cup Third Round scheduling, with dates and more TV selections also being revealed.
The League One outfit have been left bitterly disappointed with the scheduling of their FA Cup Third Round match against Everton, set for Thursday, 9th January 2025, at 7:45pm.
The club has formally contacted the Football Association (FA) to request a change in the fixture’s timing. Their primary concerns revolve around the logistical and financial impact on their supporters.
Read the new FA statement followed by how Peterborough responded…
FA STATEMENT (THE FULL SCHEDULE):
The full schedule for the 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup Third Round – including further broadcast selections – can now be confirmed.
Thursday 9 January 2025 – 7pm GMT
• Sheffield United v Cardiff City (Live on BBC Wales)
Thursday 9 January 2025 – 7.45pm GMT
• Everton v Peterborough United (Live on BBC iPlayer)
• Fulham v Watford
Friday 10 January 2025 – 7.45pm GMT
• Wycombe Wanderers v Portsmouth
Friday 10 January 2025 – 8pm GMT
• Aston Villa v West Ham United (Live on ITV1, ITVX and STV)
Saturday 11 January 2025 – 12pm GMT
• Bristol City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Birmingham City v Lincoln City
• Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers
Saturday 11 January 2025 – 12.15pm GMT
• Liverpool v Accrington Stanley (Live on ITV1, ITVX and STV)
Saturday 11 January 2025 – 3pm GMT
• Exeter City v Oxford United
• Preston North End v Charlton Athletic
• AFC Bournemouth v West Bromwich Albion
• Reading v Burnley
• Sunderland v Stoke City
• Nottingham Forest v Luton Town
• Brentford v Plymouth Argyle
• Norwich City v Brighton & Hove Albion
• Chelsea v Morecambe (BBC Extended Highlights)
• Leicester City v Queens Park Rangers (BBC Extended Highlights)
Saturday 11 January 2025 – 5.45pm GMT
• Man City v Salford City (Live on BBC One and iPlayer)
• Leeds United v Harrogate Town (Live on BBC iPlayer)
Saturday 11 January 2025 – 6pm GMT
• Leyton Orient v Derby County
• Coventry City v Sheffield Wednesday
• Mansfield Town v Wigan Athletic
Sunday 12 January 2025 – 12pm GMT
• Hull City v Doncaster Rovers
Sunday 12 January 2025 – 12.30 GMT
• Tamworth v Tottenham Hotspur (Live on ITV1, ITVX and STV)
Sunday 12 January 2025 – 3pm GMT
• Arsenal v Man Utd (Live on BBC One and iPlayer)
• Newcastle United v Bromley (Live on BBC iPlayer)
• Ipswich Town v Bristol Rovers
• Crystal Palace v Stockport County
Sunday 12 January 2025 – 4.30pm GMT
• Southampton v Swansea City (Live on BBC Wales)
Monday 13 January 2025 – 7.30pm GMT
• Millwall v Dagenham & Redbridge (Live on ITV4 and ITVX)
Winning and losing sides in the Third Round will receive £115,000 and £25,000 respectively from the competition’s prize fund.
Ties in the fourth round will be played across the weekend of Saturday 8 February 2025.
The Club have issued the following statement following the announcement that our Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie against Everton will be played on Thursday 9th January.
Read more ⬇️#pufc
— Peterborough United (@theposh) December 6, 2024
PETERBOROUGH UNITED STATEMENT:
Following the draw for the Emirates FA Cup Third Round we were delighted to have been handed a trip to Goodison Park to face Premier League side Everton. We saw this as a fantastic opportunity for our wonderful supporters to visit this iconic ground in its final year.
We were very confident of taking a full allocation of tickets for our ever first visit to Goodison Park and what is the final ever third round tie there. On learning that the tie will take place on Thursday 9th January 2025 we are incredibly disappointed that the needs of our supporters have not been taken into consideration in this decision.
Although we have an appreciation that Liverpool and Everton are unable to play on the same day and with Liverpool also drawn at home it was unlikely the game would take place on Saturday, we feel a better solution could have been found to ensure all our supporters who wish to travel to the game would have been able to do so.
Following confirmation from the FA of the decision to play the fixture on the Thursday, we contacted them to ask for the decision to be reversed based on the following criteria:
There are no viable trains from Liverpool to Peterborough scheduled on the evening of the match meaning supporters must travel by car or coach.
Supporters will be required to take two days off work to attend this incredibly important fixture and our younger fans will not be able to attend due to school commitments.
We have never played a competitive game at Goodison Park and interest in the game is very high.
An expected reduced home attendance would reduce the potential revenue for both Peterborough United and Everton.
Peterborough United Chief Executive Dawn Gore said: “Like our supporters, when the draw was made on Monday night, we were all very excited about travelling to Goodison Park. We were inundated with supporters requesting details for ticketing within hours of the draw being concluded.
“To learn that the game has been arranged for a Thursday night is bitterly disappointing. Whilst we understand there are logistical challenges, we do not feel the supporters have been considered in this approach.
“We have made our feelings very clear to the decision-makers at the top of the game and want to assure our supporters that we are just as disappointed as they are about when this game will take place and from a financial standpoint, the Club are set to lose out on revenue that would have been greatly appreciated as a club in Sky Bet League One.”
Details of ticketing arrangements will be made in due course.
Fans gave their reaction as Peterborough slam the FA Cup Third Round scheduling, with dates and more TV selections revealed…
@Goodo1977: Well played Peterborough Utd! Excellent Statement! Lincoln Fan! UTI!
@bcarrollwtf: This happened to Everton at the same stage last year when they had to travel to Crystal Palace on a Thursday night. They don’t care about traveling fans.
@GlosGroundhop: Such a shame. One of the last opportunities people will have to see a staple premier league ground and the people at the top have robbed people of that. They won’t care as long as their pockets are being filled, their egos are being boosted and their wives like them for their £££
@chewy63a: 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 well said. So disappointing how this once great competition has been devalued and how lower league clubs and the fans are no longer considered
@EFCBlue1878: All Everton fans back your statement. Absolute joke of a decision to play the game on a Thursday. Really feel sorry for Peterborough fans.
@philiplloyd32: 100% behind you. This from a Stockport county fan who has just found out that our trip to Crystal Palace has been moved to the Sunday. With no thought of the travelling fans. Add that to the scrapping of replays. Disgraceful by the FA but did we really expect anything else.
@kevincook77: How can it be Thursday when following the conclusion of the draw, they said games from Friday to Monday
@ClareLou1878: Sadly, it’s no longer a game for the fans on the terraces as the fans in front of the tvs are catered for now. I am an Everton fan and I stand by your statement. Safe travels to your club and fans, I’m glad you get to experience goodison for the first and last time on 9th jan.
@GazC500: My 11yr old daughter was looking forward to going to this. If she can’t go due to school commitments then neither am I. Well done @EmiratesFACup 👏 smash the lower league club in what was the last 3rd round ever at Goodison Park #pufc
@StuartAtherton3: Shocking decision/choice. Your fans having to travel up for a Thursday evening ko, having to most likely take time off work to set off early enough. Its a joke. Totally understand your disappointment.
@GaryMarriott73: Absolutely disgusting. I suspect they will be steed fast and not change this fixture as your not a top six club. The FA are a joke.
@bluetoffee9: Embarrassing. Was thinking I’m sure we haven’t played Peterborough at home. “Magic of the cup though”….. scheduling it on a Thursday night….well done the FA. Well done for voicing your thoughts.
@JulieHob1878: 100% we’re behind you all 🔵⚪️ No consideration for match going fans. @Everton can we put some pressure on here lads for Posh fans, surely?
@Mimi__89x: Well done @theposh. classy statement. At least someone cares about the fans.
@keevs_89: A great statement but we all know the FA will do absolutely nothing about it regardless of how much you speak up.
@Ted246_: Good statement but this is the reality of playing top tier teams. Fans become an afterthought. Games rearranged with 4 weeks notice in the league at times.
@RussWWFC: Bad for the fans, the FA is run by people with zero appreciation of people that go to the games,
@clarkielcfc: Great statement, unfortunately in this country, fans mean absolutely nothing to the FA and tv companies. Hopefully something gets resolved for your supporters 🤝🏼
@andylindsay1878: As an Everton fan agree 100% with you on this, shame the fa continue to devalue the fa cup by continuing to put the money before match going fans. Hopefully they’ll come to their senses
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