Fans blast ‘FA Cup is dead’ after discovering third round games being played on THURSDAY as full schedule confirmed

FOOTBALL fans are outraged following the announcement that the FA Cup third-round fixtures will begin on a THURSDAY.

Tradition has it that FA Cup rounds typically start on a Saturday – during the years when the competition was the pinnacle of domestic footie.

Fans are outraged by the FA Cup’s bizarre scheduling for the third-round proper

Fulham v Watford has been moved to a Thursday and will only be shown overseas

But only 10 of the 32 third-round games will actually be played at 3pm on Saturday January 11 due to TV demands.

The move reduces what is usually one of the busiest and most interesting afternoons of the season into a handful of games.

An incredible 22 games have been moved to Thursday, Friday, Sunday or Monday.

And some will be played on Saturday earlier or later than 3pm.

In fact, the round kicks off with Cardiff City’s trip to Sheffield United on Thursday 9 January.

While Everton‘s clash against Peterborough United and Fulham‘s hosting of Watford will be played on the same night.

And NONE of them will be televised live in England on Thursday, instead fans can catch Everton on BBC iPlayer and Fulham overseas.

Peterborough have since criticised the decision to host their game midweek.

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The Posh’s statement read: 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 9 January we are incredibly disappointed that the needs of our supporters have not been taken into consideration in this decision.”

“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.”

They also pointed out the lack of public transport available from Liverpool to Peterborough on the evening of the match, meaning fans must travel by car or coach.

They added: “We have never played a competitive game at Goodison Park and interest in the game is very high.”

Peterborough United Chief Executive Dawn Gore said: “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.”

Everton cannot share the same game day with Liverpool, who are scheduled to play at Anfield on Saturday.

Other fans were quick to vent their anger at perhaps the most bizarre rescheduling to date.

One wrote: “FA Cup 3 Rd on a Thursday evening. A sad demise of a once great cup competition.”

A second said: “The FA are really saying ‘let’s make it a Thursday night for overseas coverage so kids can’t come’.”

A third wrote: “Sickening. The only games that should be playing on a Thursday night are European ties.”

While another added: “This is genuinely the worst possible time for the Everton game. I don’t get it, the weekend was free.

“Just can’t f***ing help themselves can they.”

On the overseas broadcast option, one fan to commented: “Who the f** is going to watch Fulham v Watford in another country?”

The FA website had originally announced that the third-round would take place between January 10 – 13, with another fan writing: “@EmiratesFACup is just dead isn’t it.”

Only six games will be shown on live TV – five of which include a Premier League team.

Fans were particularly fuming with the decision to televise all Prem clash Aston Villa v West Ham on Friday.

Many believed that the magic of the cup should’ve allowed League Two side Bromley to pick up the TV money that comes along with a trip to Newcastle.

While Harrogate’s clash with Leeds at Elland Road has also missed out on selection.

Instead, Bromley will be shown on BBC iPlayer at 3pm on Sunday, as Manchester United’s trip to Arsenal will be live on BBC One.

The other ties being shown are Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley, Manchester City vs Salford, Tamworth vs Tottenham and Millwall vs Dagenham & Redbridge.