[St Charles Owl]

I think FIFA want them expelled, so that would probably mean Bristol back in. But they will have to make their minds up soon.

Do FIFA have that right over a domestic cup competition?? I am sure that the FA would have something to say about that.

[Lord Snooty]

FIFA can do owt they want. They could have the player in question shot if they thought it appropriate.

---

Seriously though. If a player pulls out of his international squad, he is ineligible under FIFA rules for the next match his club plays. Sakho's team were still in the Africa Cup, therefore West Ham have fielded an ineligible player so the FA should treat them the same way they did Chesterfield.

[Lord Snooty]

West Ham have been fined £71,000 for their breach of the rules but won't be kicked out of the competition or forced to replay the match. Bristol City are contemplating an appeal and suing for loss of around a quarter of a million quidsworth of gate receipts and prize money.

[Amelia Chaffinch]

Blatant favoritism towards the premiership.

[spireitematt]

FA need to put a set rule in for all clubs if they play an ineligible player in the FA Cup.

[Lord Snooty]

Sakho was as ineligible as the Chesterfield player was earlier this season. Replay the game.
Didn't West Ham get off lightly for fielding ineligible players in the league a few seasons ago which should have seen them docked points?
Resulted in Sheffield United being relegated instead of them.

[St Charles Owl]

Correct Snooty, the blunts were up in arms about that, they got shafted and the whole situation was poorly handled by the FA/FL or Prem, whoever it was!! And thats me as an Owl saying that!! They did sue West Ham for playing Tevez and were awarded 18m pounds compensation as a result of it all, but it all could have been avoided had the rule of three point deduction for that offence had been applied, which would have seen WHU relegated instead of the blunts!!

This ruling is just wrong.

[Lord Snooty]

West Bromwich Albion v West Ham United
The FA Cup 5th round
Saturday February 14th 12:45 ko
at The Hawthorns

The story of Brighouse to Wembley so far:

1st Qualifying round: Brighouse Town 1-2 Ashton Utd
2nd Qualifying round: Ashton United 1-1 Salford City
2nd Qualifying round replay: Salford City 0-1 Ashton United
3rd Qualifying round: Spennymoor Town 1-0 Ashton United
4th Qualifying round: Spennymoor Town 2-2 AFC Telford United
4th Qualifying round replay: AFC Telford United 3-0 Spennymoor Town
1st round: Basingstoke Town 1-1 AFC Telford United
1st round replay: AFC Telford 2-1 Basingstoke Town
2nd round: Bristol City 1-0 AFC Telford
3rd round: Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Bristol City
3rd round replay: Bristol City 2-0 Doncaster Rovers
4th round: Bristol City 0-1 West Ham

The Baggies will have Chris Brunt as captain for this fifth-round tie as midfielder Darren Fletcher is cup tied.
Striker Victor Anichebe is a doubt with a groin strain, but goalkeeper Boaz Myhill may play after a finger injury.

Midfielders Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble could return for the Hammers after missing the goalless draw with Southampton.
Nolan had a foot injury while Noble had a virus. Striker Andy Carroll is likely to miss the rest of the season.



This is the sixth time these sides have been drawn together in the FA Cup, with West Ham progressing four times and West Brom just once previously.
West Brom have won the trophy on five occasions, though not since 1968.
West Brom head coach Tony Pulis guided Stoke to the final in 2011, where they were beaten by Manchester City.
West Ham won the FA Cup three times, though not since 1980. They were more recently beaten on penalties by Liverpool in the 2006 FA Cup final in Cardiff.
West Ham beat West Brom in the Third Round on their way to winning their last FA Cup in 1980.

[Lord Snooty]

It's a 4-0 win for the Baggies.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Albion have now scored more goals in the FA Cup this season than Aston Villa have scored in the Premier League.