League One side Bradford City has launched a "scathing attack on the FA Cup broadcasters for failing to reward their giant-killing exploits with live coverage of their fifth round tie," according to Chris Bascombe of the London TELEGRAPH. The Yorkshire club was hailed for "breathing life into this year's competition" with its 4-2 defeat of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but the BBC and BT Sport have "turned their attention elsewhere for the next round." That will cost Bradford a possible £250,000 ($380,000) in TV revenue and has prompted co-Chair Mark Lawn to brand the decision a "disgrace." He said, "Whoever made the decisions at the BBC and BT Sport should hang their heads in shame. They all promote the FA Cup's magic and romance, but where's the magic gone now?" A BBC spokesperson said, "TV match selections have to be decided before the outcome of replays and for that reason, we have selected what we believe to be the best fixtures, given all the potential scenarios." A BT Sport spokesperson said, "We aim to cover the teams and stories that appeal to as wide a number of fans as possible while staying true to the traditions of the competition" (TELEGRAPH, 1/28). In Bradford, Simon Parker reported the club's home clash against either Sunderland or Fulham is one of "only three ties that will not be shown live." Lawn said, "They've really shot themselves in the foot. We've scored the most goals of any club in the FA Cup this season, we've just pulled off the biggest shock in history and they don't come and get us." The games being shown on TV are: West Brom vs. West Ham, Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool or Bolton, Aston Villa vs. Leicester, Arsenal vs. Middlesbrough and Preston or Sheffield United vs. Cambridge or ManU (TELEGRAPH & ARGUS, 1/28).
