BBC and BT Sport accused of a 'lack of knowledge about football' by MP George Galloway after Bradford are overlooked

Despite beating Chelsea 4-2 in the last round the League One side's game against either Fulham or Sunderland will not be shown

Bradford City's reward for their memorable win over Chelsea is a trip to face either Sunderland or Fulham (Getty) (Getty)

Sports minister Helen Grant has been urged to intervene to persuade broadcasters to screen the next step of Bradford's FA Cup adventure.

The Bantams caused one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup history after they fought back from 2-0 down to beat Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge in the fourth round last weekend.

But the Sky Bet League One side's fifth-round home tie with either Sunderland or Fulham has not been selected as one of the live games to be shown by the BBC or BT Sport.

Bradford West MP George Galloway has now raised the snub in Parliament after the decision was slammed by City co-chairman Mark Lawn.

Galloway said the decision by the BBC and BT Sport "betrays a fundamental lack of knowledge about football" and also about what viewers want to see.

He has asked Grant to "impress on broadcasters the error of this decision" and attempt to persuade them to change it.

Clubs shown live on television in round five receive £247,500.

BT Sport has opted to screen West Brom v West Ham, Crystal Palace v Liverpool or Bolton, and Arsenal v Middlesbrough.

The BBC has selected Aston Villa v Leicester and Preston or Sheffield United v Cambridge or Manchester United.

Galloway raised Bradford's plight in an early-day motion tabled in the Commons.

An EDM is a formal motion submitted for debate in the House of Commons, although very few are actually debated.

Galloway's EDM states: "That this House agrees with the joint chairman of Bradford City Football Club, Mark Lawn, that the BBC and BT Sport's decision not to show live the team's forthcoming FA Cup match against Sunderland or Fulham is ridiculous and that the broadcasters have shot themselves in the foot.

"(It) points out City's win at Chelsea was voted the upset of all time by viewers of Match of the Day.

"(It) notes that the Bantams have scored the most goals of any club in the cup this season.

"(It) further notes that the decision will deprive the club of some £250,000 in revenue.

"(It) believes that the decision also betrays a fundamental lack of knowledge about football and viewers' popular tastes and urges the sports minister to impress on broadcasters the error of this decision and attempt to persuade them to change it."

PA