Blackburn vs Newcastle FA Cup clash DELAYED 15 minutes as Gary Lineker makes statement live on BBC
KICK-OFF has been delayed by 15 minutes in the FA Cup clash between Blackburn and Newcastle.
The two sides are set to meet at Ewood Park in the fifth round on Tuesday night.
Gary Lineker announced the start of the match had been pushed back during live coverage on BBC One.
He explained that kick-off had been delayed by 15 minutes due to Newcastle fans struggling to get through the turnstiles at Ewood Park.
Rovers also confirmed in a statement on X: “Kick-off has been delayed by 15 minutes until 8pm in order to allow as many supporters as possible to enter the ground.”
During the delay, Eddie Howe’s players were seen returning to the pitch to warm-up for a second time as kick-off edged closer.
The two sides meet for a place in this season’s quarter-finals, with extra-time and penalties waiting if needed to find a winner.
Both sides, who have six FA Cup triumphs each, will be hoping to join Coventry in the last eight after they beat non-league Maidstone on Monday night.
Newcastle have not reached the sixth round since 2020, whilst Blackburn were beaten by Sheffield United at that stage last season.
The draw for the quarter-finals will be held at 7pm on Wednesday.
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Lineker was joined in the studio by Micah Richard and former Blackburn and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer.
The trio filled the added time before kick-off by discussing Shearer’s time at each club as well as analysing both line-ups.
Shearer won the Premier League with Blackburn in 1995 before going on to score a club record 206 goals for Newcastle.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Championship leaders Leicester host Bournemouth and reigning champions Manchester City visit Luton.