One of the FA Cup traditions nowadays is to point out the absurd run of Manchester United cup ties that have been screened on television in a row. Yesterday's stroll against Wigan - a game so comfortable that Bastian Schweinsteiger was allowed to play by Jose Mourinho - was the 56th consecutive cup tie featuring United to be screened live on television. It is a run stretching for 12 years, back to a third round replay clash with Exeter City in 2005.
This is usually used as a stick with which to beat broadcasters, and one of the main tenets of the arguments of those who argue that the cup has lost its lustre.
It is often jarring to see television pundits - the most vociferous in recent days has been Alan Shearer - complain that the cup is devalued by first teams not taking it seriously, while at the same time seemingly determined to show these sides devalue the competition live on TV.
It also comes across as ironic that these pundits constantly play up the Magic of the Cup, of the potential for giant killings that are the heart of the competition, while at the same time refusing to screen these very games, supposedly preferring to screen the big teams - usually United - for ratings reasons.
This year has seen two non-league sides qualify for the fifth round for the first time in the competition's history: Sutton beat Leeds yesterday, while Lincoln City shocked Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon. Screening these games would seem the definition of Public Service Broadcasting, but neither were shown live on terrestrial TV: BT broadcast Sutton/Leeds yesterday afternoon, while Lincoln/Brighton was not screened live at all.
The Beeb were criticised for showing United/Wigan, but it transpires that it is not, in fact, their fault. Gary Lineker and Dan Walker revealed on twitter that the BBC wished to screen the Lincoln/Brighton game once Lincoln's place was confirmed in a replay, but bizarrely, the FA insisted that the BBC go ahead with United/Wigan.
That is correct. After Lincoln won their replay we asked FA to change to Lincoln Brighton game. They refused. https://t.co/pSQbqkAdZA
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) January 29, 2017
Agreed. We get all the flak, but also with a host of PL games on Tuesday we had few options. https://t.co/lX6hUqbM2B
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) January 29, 2017
We HAD to pick before replays. Tried to change. Not allowed. https://t.co/CE3A6hHNKl
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) January 29, 2017
Thanks to the FA, BBC viewers were denied the right to wish something truly great on Saturday: Richie Towell's first senior goal for Brighton.
See Also: Watch: Incredible Scenes As Sutton United Knock Leeds Out Of The FA Cup
