Lineker defends BBC decision not to show Bradford FA Cup tie live on TV

Gary Lineker claims the BBC would have screened Bradford's FA Cup fifth-round clash if their opponents had been known when the TV picks were made, before the fourth-round replays.

The BBC was criticised for overlooking the League One club after their giant-killing of Chelsea. Of the eight fifth-round ties played this weekend, Bradford's was one of three not shown live by either the BBC or BT Sport.

The Bantams made the broadcasters regret their decision by beating Sunderland 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1976.

Sunderland had needed a replay to get past Fulham in the fourth round and Lineker claimed on Twitter that that was a key factor in the BBC picking Aston Villa's clash with Leicester and Man Utd's trip to Preston on Monday night instead.