Youve probably all seen the video by now if not, then watch
it here - and many questions remain about the FA Cup third round
draw last weekend.
During the live feed, supporters watched former Arsenal left-back
Sammy Nelson announce that he had drawn the No 24 from out of the
tumbler, resulting in an Aston Villa v Manchester United tie.
However, hundreds of fans have since complained, convinced they
actually saw the No 25 being pulled out, which would have pitted
Villa against Middlesbrough.
Later, when Nelson does seemingly pull out the No 25, it is
impossible to see what number he is actually holding because his
fingers are obscuring a large chunk of the ball.
The initial uncertainty over what numbers were actually drawn has
left many fans furious, calling it an "embarrassment for the
FA".
*FYI: Manchester
United No.24 Middlesbrough No.25*
*click pic for vid*
However, officials have reviewed footage of the exact moment the
so-called mystery ball was picked out and have confirmed it is in
fact the No 24, and the Villa-United fixture is correct.
The confusion, it has been explained, resulted from a trick of the
light which meant the line beneath the numbers on the ball appeared
to make the four look like a five.
An FA spokesman said: "It's a No 24 but because there's a line
underneath the numbers, at that angle on the film it looks like a
25. It has been verified by our competitions department.
"There's no mystery and absolutely no problem with the draw. But we
can understand how the confusion might have taken place.
"We can have a look at the way the balls are designed but we've
never had a problem before."
FA taking the easy way
out?
