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

5 months ago 35

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 TV[/caption]

Alfreton Town won’t get a mega-money payday should they beat Walsall in a replay[/caption]

Matches will be on BBC and ITV[/caption]

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.

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.

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