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BT Sport decide to air Bradford's FA Cup quarter-final free to all after BBC snub

Channel will make the game available free online and on Sky

Tom Sheen
Wednesday 18 February 2015 13:28 GMT
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Jon Stead celebrates scoring Bradford's second goal
Jon Stead celebrates scoring Bradford's second goal (GETTY)

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BT Sport have gone where the BBC opted not go and made Bradford City's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Reading free to all.

The channel came under criticism in the last round when they decided not to show Bradford at home to Sunderland after the Bantams had beat Chelsea - they argued that Bradford may have faced Fulham which was not as enticing as a midlands derby between Aston Villa and Leicester.

However, despite Bradford pulling off another shock to beat Gus Poyet's team, the BBC have again snubbed the League One side, opting instead to show Manchester United vs Arsenal.

BT Sport has decided to make the game, that will be aired on Saturday, 7 March, free to all online and on the Sky platform - BT TV customers can watch the match as usual.

"The excitement of the FA Cup continues on BT Sport and we have two fantastic quarter finals on the channel," said Simon Green, head of BT Sport.

"This will be the second time that BT Sport has shown Bradford City in this year’s FA Cup and because Bradford Football club have been very passionate about the UK seeing their amazing club run, BT Sport have decided to make the game against Reading available to everyone to watch, online, via BT TV and Sky."

FA Cup sixth-round fixtures in full

Saturday 7 March

Bradford City vs Bradford (12.45pm) - BT SPORT

Aston Villa vs West Brom (5.30pm) - BBC 1

Sunday 8 March

Liverpool vs Blackburn Rovers (4pm) - BT SPORT

Monday 9 March

Manchester United vs Arsenal (7.45pm) - BBC 1

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