THERE WERE TWO draws among the FA Cup quarter-finals played over last weekend with Liverpool v Blackburn and Bradford v Reading both finishing goalless. However, due to a bizarre broadcasting rule the Reds will have to wait until 8 April to play Blackburn again whereas Reading will host Bradford this Monday.
UEFA regulations say that domestic games can’t clash with Champions League and Europa League fixtures and since there is also an international break in late March, there isn’t any space for the game to be played any earlier.
Liverpool play their next two Premier League matches on a Monday against Swansea and at home to Manchester United on Sunday, which means the replay can’t be held on the Monday before European action in either case.
It is a little farcical that teams who aren’t involved in European competitions are forbidden from playing at the same time and it is frustrating for the players and fans of both teams, as they would likely rather refocus on their league campaigns.
And with the FA Cup semi-finals due to take place on the weekend of 18/19 April, whoever come through that replay at Ewood Park will have a short turnaround before their final four clash.
This is another ridiculous broadcasting rule similar to the embargo on showing football games in England between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on a Saturday for fear of eating into the number of fans attending live games. It is 2015, should we really be restricted by such nonsense today?
