The BBC's football boss has attempted to justify the Corporation's decision to overlook Bradford City when televising the last round of the FA Cup but admits viewers in the city might not agree with the games picked for coverage.

Mark Cole, the BBC's football lead executive, issued a statement after Bradford City's success at home against Sunderland and said "we shared the frustration of fans and would have loved to have been broadcasting the match live" as City's performance on the pitch began to unfold.

But his comments have got him into trouble with Bradford City chairman Mark Lawn who dismissed the BBC as not understanding the "magic" of the FA Cup.

Mr Cole said the "hardest thing" to forecast was the outcome of replays, which were known only after both the BBC and BT had made their selections for coverage.

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In his statement he said: "That's the only reason why Phil Parkinson's side didn't get a live match this time round.

"We had to weigh up the options and given Sunderland's recent form, thought it was a realistic possibility of the match being League One against a Championship side.

"In this case it wouldn't have been much of a shock whatever the result and the winners would be guaranteed a live Quarter-Final, as Reading have done by progressing at Derby.

"If Bradford definitely had a home tie against Premier League opposition we certainly would have chosen to have the match live on BBC One.

"That has been a big part of our policy so far, showing AFC Wimbledon, Cambridge, Bristol City and tonight Preston, all looking to overcome opposition from the top flight."

Mr Lawn's response was blunt, however, and he said: "What they are saying is just a load of rubbish. They chose to go with the Premier League instead of the under-dog. They don't understand the magic of the FA Cup."