BBC forced into last-minute Match of the Day change after FA Cup chaos

02 December 2023 , 13:00

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The BBC were due to cover Alfreton Town v Walsall in the FA Cup

The BBC have been forced to alter their schedule at the last minute after the Match of the Day broadcast covering Alfreton Town's FA Cup tie against Walsall was called off shortly before kick-off.

The match was postponed just FIVE MINUTES before proceedings were due to get underway, forcing the BBC to run an episode of Money for Nothing in its place.

Like other fixtures up and down the country, the game was postponed due to a frozen pitch amid freezing temperatures. The second-round tie between the sixth-tier minnows and the League Two outfit will now be played at a later date.

A statement from Alfreton Town confirming the news was posted on social media at At 12:29pm. It read: "Despite our best efforts unfortunately the match officials have called the match off. Apologies to those that have travelled. We will provide further updates when we have them."

Walsall manager Mat Sadler also reacted to the news, telling BBC Sport that he knew the game would be called off as soon as he saw the pitch at the Impact Arena.

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He said: "As soon as I walked out here I thought the game would be off. It's rock-hard and not getting any warmer. I know they left it as late as possible to see if it could be played, but it looked dangerous to me.

"I think common sense has prevailed on that one. The game was never going to be played as soon as the covers came off, the goal mouths were rock hard. Right decision to have been called off."

The match was called off just minutes before kick-off (BBC Match of the Day)

Crewe's FA Cup tie with Bristol Rovers is one of the other matches that has fallen foul of the frosty weather this weekend. There have also been a number of postponements in the National League.

Another FA Cup second round tie which will not be taking place this weekend is Blackpool's trip to Forest Green Rovers. A statement released on Friday night by The FA confirmed the postponement was due to an investigation involving the home club.

The statement read: "We are investigating a matter in relation to Forest Green Rovers' involvement in the Emirates FA Cup, relating to the eligibility of a player used by Forest Green Rovers in the first round.

"As a result, Forest Green Rovers' second-round fixture away at Blackpool FC, which was scheduled for Saturday 2 December, has been postponed. This matter is subject to an ongoing investigation and we will provide a further update in due course."

Dan Marsh