BLACKBURN Rovers fans will have to wait a month to see whether their side can secure a place in Wembley semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Rovers yesterday confirmed their quarter-final replay with Liverpool at Ewood Park will take place on either Tuesday, April 7 or Wednesday, April 8.
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The actual date will be released once the television companies which hold the rights to the FA Cup decide which will broadcast the tie.
But it will certainly not go-ahead any time before April 7.
That is because of Liverpool’s Premier League commitments, rules preventing FA Cup clashes being staged on the same night as UEFA matches, and because of the final international break of the season.
The replay could not take place in the week beginning March 16 because Liverpool are away to Swansea City in a live Sky Sports game on the night and because there are Champions League and Europa League fixtures scheduled for the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
And the replay could not take place on the weeks beginning March 23 and 30 because they are over the international break.
Bradford City and Reading played out a 0-0 draw at Valley Parade on Saturday in the first FA Cup tie of the weekend.
Their Madejski Stadium replay has been pencilled in for Monday, March 16, just 48 hours after both clubs will have played in the league.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, speaking after his team’s 0-0 draw with Rovers at Anfield on Sunday, was underwhelmed at the prospect of waiting a month for the Ewood replay.
But he believes the situation is worse for Reading and Bradford.
Rodgers said: “I feel for them, having to play Saturday and again on Monday. It is incredible. It’s unfair for both clubs with so much at stake.”
Rovers’ Championship encounter at home to Millwall on Easter Monday, April 6 will be rearranged to avoid clashing with the Liverpool replay.
The winners of the replay will take their place in the semi-finals with ties staged at Wembley on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19.
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