The eagerly awaited weekend for the THIRD ROUND is here, presenting an exciting lineup of FA Cup matches that will kick off at various times across five days.
The excitement begins with Thursday’s matchup between Sheffield United and Cardiff City at Bramall Lane, featuring a total of FOURTEEN kick-off times.
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Both BBC and ITV will air a selection of matches, featuring prominent contests like Liverpool vs Accrington and Tamworth vs Tottenham. However, some matches have been shifted for international viewers.
Matches that have been rescheduled include Wycombe Wanderers against Portsmouth on Friday night, and Birmingham facing Lincoln on Saturday afternoon.
Due to these adjustments, many of the matches are regrettably NOT accessible to viewers in the UK.
As Wycombe, a League One outfit, takes on Championship side Portsmouth on Friday, fans in SEVENTY FOUR countries will have the chance to watch.
Viewers in Kyrgyzstan can catch the 7:45 PM kick-off, translating to nearly 2 AM local time, providing a great way to end a Friday evening with some FA Cup excitement.
Similarly, Pompey fans in Papua New Guinea can watch, albeit with the early start of 5:45 AM.
This rescheduling has incited debate among supporters, with the Everton vs Peterborough match on Thursday night attracting substantial attention.
The concluding match of the third round at Goodison Park will be available on BBC iPlayer and the Red Button, but this has faced criticism from many fans of Posh, who need to travel over 300 miles in chilly conditions on a school night.
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Following the announcement of the TV schedule, the League One club formally appealed to the FA to reconsider, saying: “The current train options from Liverpool to Peterborough on match night are not feasible, forcing fans to rely on cars or coaches.
“Supporters would have to take two days off work to attend this important match, and younger fans may have to miss out due to educational commitments.
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“As this is our first competitive game at Goodison Park, interest levels are very high.
A lower turnout could negatively impact the finances for both Peterborough United and Everton.”
Despite this, the match is sold out, with a robust attendance from both home and away supporters anticipated for what should be a memorable night in Merseyside.
The Toffees have parted ways with Sean Dyche today, leaving Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman to oversee the fixture, with David Moyes among the frontrunners for the managerial post.
