City fans vote against being reinstated to the FA Cup

  • by Staff Writer
  • Wednesday, 4th February 2015

Three out of every five Bristol City supporters do not want to be reinstated to the FA Cup, according to a poll.

Although the Robins were beaten 1-0 by West Ham at Ashton Gate in their fourth round tie against West Ham last month, there is a possibility that City may be reinstated into the competition - should the Hammers be expelled as the result of a FIFA enquiry into Diafra Sakho appearance during the match.

But a poll by the Bristol Post has revealed that only 40 per cent of voters would like to see City re-entered into the tournament , should FIFA find in their favour. The poll asked Bristol supporters whether they would prefer to be reinstated in the competition or to receive compensation instead - and 60 per cent chose the latter option.

City fan Ian M, posting on OTIB said: "I hope the FA find a way to let West Ham off. Technically they may have committed an offence, but Sakho is their player at the end of the day and I'm happy by the way we went out."

And ChippenhamRed added: "Being reinstated to the competition on a technicality, having lost the game fair and square, would make our presence in the 5th round a bit of a joke. I hope the whole thing just goes away tomorrow and we can concentrate on the league."

Compensation could be worth a tidy sum to the League One club, who would have been granted £90,000 prize money for winning a fourth round tie. A televised replay against West Ham could have netted the club a further £140,000, whilst additional revenue would have been generated from gate receipts.

Although Sakho scored the only goal of the game in the tie against Bristol City, he was pulled from last weekend's squad that lost 2-0 at Liverpool over fears of FIFA sanctions.

FIFA - who have refused to cite a date by which the outcome of their investigation will be made public - have already began looking into the case. KUMB understands that officials at West Ham are seriously concerned by the possibility of a negative outcome.


Remind you of anyone? The story of Mannygate

Back in 1999, West Ham were ordered to replay a League Cup quarter final against Aston Villa after it was revealed that Manny Omoyinmi, a late substitute in the game had already represented another club during an earlier round of the competition.

Omoyinmi had previously spent time on loan at Gillinhgam, for whom he'd player in one of the competition's early rounds. The winger failed to mention this to anyone at West Ham, nobody at West Ham picked up on it and the club were ordered to replay a game they had already won (in a penalty shootout).

Unsurprisingly, West Ham went on to lose the replayed tie in extra time, Omoyinmi left the club shortly afterwards having failed to make an impact and club secretary Graham Mackrell fell on his sword, resigning from his position as a result.

* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.



More News