ManU’s 13-year run of 58 televised FA Cup matches "has come to an end," with the club's clash with Derby County next month "a shock omission from the third-round games selected for broadcast," according to Ben Rumsby of the London TELEGRAPH. Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace will reportedly "play the first competitive match in England in which video replays will be used to overturn refereeing decisions." The Brighton-Crystal Palace match was chosen from the fixtures to be shown by the BBC and BT from Jan. 5-8 to "stage a live trial" of video assistant referees. The last ManU FA Cup match that was not shown live on TV was the first of its defense of the trophy it won in '04, "a surprise goalless home draw" against non-league side Exeter City. ManU's non-selection "follows a backlash last year" against its "mundane" third-round home clash against Reading being picked ahead of National League side Sutton United’s "more romantic encounter" with League One side AFC Wimbledon. Terrestrial broadcasters in particular "have struggled to resist" picking ManU's FA Cup ties "given there are few opportunities for them" to show the club which regularly attracts the biggest U.K. TV audience (TELEGRAPH, 12/7).
