FC United reject BBC request to move FA Cup tie because 'football is not a TV game show'

The National League North club believe re-arranging the kick-off would inconvenience supporters

Mark Critchley
Tuesday 20 October 2015 16:42 BST
Comments
FC United of Manchester supporters
FC United of Manchester supporters (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

FC United of Manchester have rejected a request from the BBC to reschedule their upcoming FA Cup tie.

The National League North club were asked to move the kick-off time of their fourth qualifying round tie against Sporting Khalsa as part of the broadcaster’s new 'BBC Mobile Match of the Day' concept.

The 'mobile' idea hopes to involve presenters and pundits talking with fans, managers and even substitutes sat on the bench watching their side in action.

The club, however, which was founded in 2005 following the Glazer family's takeover of Manchester united, believes that the concept will only disrupt their preparations for the game and criticised the inconvenience it could cause supporters.

A statement entitled 'Football is sport not a television show' on their website said: "The FC United Board gave a resounding ‘no’ to this request.

"Match-going supporters should not have to be inconvenienced for the benefit of those who rarely, if at all, attend matches.

"If BBC viewers would like to understand the fans’ experience at a football game there are numerous real life games at every level throughout the country and the easiest way for TV viewers to access the real fans’ experience is to go along to a match.

"We call upon the FA to remember that football is a sporting competition and the associated drama comes from the highs and lows of the game itself.

"It does not reflect well on the custodians of our game that they would devalue the sporting integrity of their flagship competition by encouraging TV presenters to interfere with those in the dugouts or changing rooms when they are working to produce the best competitive elements of the game.

...We believe that the balance has swung way too far in favour of the TV companies

&#13; <p>FC United of Manchester statement</p>&#13;

"Nor should TV have access to substitutes when warming up, because those players are athletes preparing properly to be able to compete at their best.

"TV exposure and the revenue it generates are important to football.

"However, we believe that the balance has swung way too far in favour of the TV companies - and too far away from the match-going, admission paying, regularly attending football supporter."

FC United, nicknamed the Red Rebels, reached the second round of the FA Cup in 2010, the furthest they had ever been in the world's oldest football competition.

During that run, their first round tie against Rochdale was rearranged to be played on a Friday evening and shown live on ESPN.

The club, who are not intrinsically opposed to the re-arrangement of fixtures, believed on that occasion that the rearrangement was in the best interests of its members.

Following that decision, FC United’s board now follow a set of principles when requested to change kick-off times which consider, among other things, the travelling time for the away supporters involved.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in