FA confirms 'first time' news for Crystal Palace v Millwall cup clash

Crystal Palace will host Millwall in the fifth round of the FA Cup in one of the draw's tastier-looking clashes next month.

The two sides have only played out this London derby once since 2013, coming in a FA Cup tie in January 2022. Crystal Palace won that match at The Den with goals from Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta cancelling out a Benfik Afobe opener.

There were cheers around the concourse at Selhurst Park when the Lions were picked out for a trip to Selhurst Park and the FA has now confirmed that the fifth round match will be one of the first in the UK to use semi-automated offside technology.

The fifth round of FA Cup action this year is the first time that the technology will be used in English football and it will be in place at the seven ties held at Premier League grounds - should Millwall have been drawn at home, the system would not be in place.

The FA confirms new technology to be used at Selhurst Park

A joint statement issued by the FA, Premier League and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL) this week read: "The fifth round will also utilise Semi-Automated Offside Technology in all seven matches taking place at Premier League stadiums, which is the first time it will be used live in competitive matches in English football.

"The new technology will be introduced in the Emirates FA Cup fifth round, in collaboration with the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited [PGMOL], following an extensive testing period that has taken place during the 2024-25 season.

"Following successful live operation in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League will look to implement the system later this season."

The semi-automated technology has been used in the Champions League since the start of 2022/23 season and was also implemented for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The FA has also confirmed that VAR will be present across all eight fifth round ties.

Crystal Palace and Millwall fans at Selhurst Park can also expect to be spoken to by the referee should VAR come into action. Officials will reveal the final decision when reviewing incidents in a bit to improve communication with fans. In-stadium announcements have already been used in this season's Carabao Cup semi-finals, the first example coming in the first leg between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

Oliver Glasner confirms ‘excitement’ for Millwall cup match

Eagles manager Oliver Glasner has already spoken of the rivalry with Millwall ahead of the cup tie, despite matches against Everton, Fulham and Aston Villa to come first.

He said: "For me I knew about it a little bit, because when we talked with Romain [Esse] I saw the rivalry between Millwall and Crystal Palace. Then I could see as well that all the staff were very excited when we heard we could play Millwall at home in the last 16 of the FA Cup.

"Of course it makes it bigger this game - it's an all or nothing game - and of course we want to go into the quarter-finals. It would be a big achievement. But it is still far away for me. Doncaster is done and now we have to find focus for Everton. We've had our fourth away win [in-a-row] but now we have to be ready for a really strong Everton side at home. And we will be ready."

In other news, Crystal Palace are competing with Rangers to sign a rising League One talent in what would be a 'classic' Steve Parish swoop.