With a winners’ purse of only £1.8m, bigger clubs will continue to field weakened teams despite the risks because league status is the priority
On Monday night The One Show hosted the FA Cup fifth‑round draw. For the event to be deemed suitable for a prime-time BBC programme aimed at Middle England shows the competition’s enduring appeal.
Just as undeniable, though, is the troubling question of whether the 146-year-old trophy is devalued by the fielding of reserve XIs on fourth-round weekend and the number of shocks this helped produce.
Related: Shock FA Cup wins for Sutton United and Lincoln City – Football Weekly
Related: FA Cup fifth round draw: non-league Sutton to face Arsenal
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