Newcastle fans explode at ‘rigged’ FA Cup draw and team ‘refusing to play’
Newcastle fans have made a big claim after it was announced that they would face Manchester City in the FA Cup fifth round.
Eddie Howe’s side will host Pep Guardiola’s team for a third time this season, with the fixture set for the weekend of March 7th.
The two sides were drawn together in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, where Man City won both legs to convincingly progress to the final of the competition.
Newcastle though beat Man City 2-1 at St James’ Park earlier in the Premier League season, and they are set to face off in the reverse fixture at the Etihad this weekend.
Newcastle fans certain FA Cup draw was ‘rigged’
Amid pressure on Howe on Tyneside, the 48-year-old probably would not have picked Man City to be his next opponent in the FA Cup.
Newcastle have already had to beat Bournemouth and Aston Villa to progress to this stage, and fans are convinced the draw was “rigged” when they pulled Man City out of the hat.
One fan said he was “fuming” with the draw whilst another commented that “the same culprits got the easiest draws possible.”
11 of the teams left in the competition are Premier League clubs, though the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea both got lower league opposition.
Arsenal will travel to League One Mansfield, whilst Chelsea face a trip to Wrexham, in easier draws on paper for the duo than Newcastle’s.
Man United make certain Sandro Tonali transfer plan
The future of Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali remains uncertain, with the Italian potentially looking to leave the club in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal explored a last-minute deal for Tonali in the January transfer window, and Manchester United have become the latest club interested in the 25-year-old.
The Toon though have received a boost in their efforts to keep the player at the club after it was revealed that Man United would not be willing to pay up to £100million for Tonali.
The Red Devils will be searching for a new midfielder in the summer with Casemiro having already confirmed his departure from the club.
Tonali has yet to score in the Premier League this season, and has only registered one assist, despite having been a regular starter in Newcastle’s midfield.