Fulham 'solidarity' with furious Newcastle United over FA Cup clash

Fulham supporters have shared their 'solidarity' with Newcastle United fans with followers of the North East club voicing their frustration at the scheduling of the upcoming FA Cup meeting between the two clubs at Craven Cottage.

The Cottagers beat Rotherham United and the Magpies triumphed in a Tyne-Wear derby against rivals Sunderland to book their place in the upcoming fourth-round. Monday night's draw pitted the two Premier League sides against one another in a tie set to be played by the Thames on Saturday, January 27.

On Thursday night, the FA confirmed its broadcasting plans for the upcoming set of fixtures and announced that the match between Fulham and Newcastle United would take place at 7 pm on Saturday night, leaving travelling fans scrambling for hotels and accommodation for overnight stays. Clubs are compensated with £110,000 in a 'live broadcast fee' by the FA.

The Newcastle United Supporters Trust issued a statement that read: "Once again, we are appalled by the lack of thought given to travelling supporters ahead of our FA Cup match at Craven Cottage. A 7 pm kick-off leaves supporters with no option of catching a train home with the last train for Newcastle departing Kings Cross at 9 pm, leaving thousands now looking for accommodation in London with only two weeks' notice.

"The financial and logical burden imposed on travelling supporters by TV companies is shocking in an industry reaping huge profits. It is always the fans who pay the price.

"The loyalty of our supporters is once again being taken for granted in the knowledge that we will fill the away end regardless of the kick-off time. We urge the incoming football regulator to ensure that significant changes are put in place to ensure fans are prioritised when it comes to TV scheduling of games."

Frustratingly, for Newcastle United fans, it's far from the first time fans have been left having to empty the bank to follow their club. In December, as well as having to pay for travel and hotels in London the week prior to Christmas for the Carabao Cup meeting with Chelsea, the Blues exceeded the Premier League away ticket cap to charge £39. Magpies fans were also made to board buses at 8:30 am from St James' Park to travel to the early kick-off at Sunderland in the previous round of the FA Cup.

After the latest statement from the Newcastle United Supporters Trust, the Fulham Supporters' Trust shared the message and added their "absolute solidarity" with the visiting club. The group said: "Loyal match-going fans deserve better and should always be prioritised over TV audiences."

Fulham fans also shared their sympathy with Newcastle United fans, labelling the broadcasting decision an "absolute piss-take" and sharing "so much respect" for seeing the Fulham Supporters' Trust sharing the message.