Nottingham Forest fans have expressed frustration over the scheduling of their FA Cup fifth-round match against Ipswich Town.
After a tense midweek victory, the Reds have set up a home clash with the Tractor Boys. The date and time for the match at the City Ground have now been confirmed, but many supporters are displeased with the decision. The game is scheduled for Monday, March 3, at 7:30 pm, and will be broadcast live on ITV4. Forest has stated they will announce ticket details at a later date.
This Monday night fixture follows a grueling fourth-round tie, where Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, along with an army of travelling fans, made the trip to Exeter City on Tuesday evening. The match saw a long stoppage due to Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury and went into extra time before penalties.
The team returned to base just past 2 a.m. after flying back from Devon, with many supporters facing an even later journey back to Nottingham. The announcement of another evening kick-off sparked a strong reaction on social media.
One fan expressed their frustration on X, saying: “The FA Cup matches are the only ones I can realistically get tickets for me and my 9-year-old son (who has a junior membership) to watch Forest together without relying on the ballot. We live two hours away, so there’s no way I can take him to a Monday night match.”
One fan, with a touch of sarcasm, remarked: “Brilliant, a chance to get tickets and bring in a new generation of young fans. Then it’s a Monday night…”
Another simply posted: “I hate you ITV. Hate you. Absolutely hate you.”
A frustrated fan shared: “Another cup game I’ve got to miss because it’s on a Monday night—what a joke.”
There was also sympathy for Ipswich’s travelling supporters, with one fan saying: “Monday night for chuffing ITV4 really does my head in, feel for the Ipswich fans travelling.”
One supporter pointed out: “So much for the FA’s statement: ‘All rounds of the Emirates FA Cup will be played on weekends. The fourth round will be played in an extended window from Friday to Wednesday.’”
Another Reds fan wrote: “Honestly, at this stage, just scrap the FA Cup, it’s an absolute farce.” And one added: “Weekday game again—makes no sense.”
A few days after their FA Cup clash at Trentside, Forest will welcome reigning champions Manchester City to the City Ground on Saturday for a Premier League match, with a 12:30 p.m. kick-off. Then, on Saturday, March 15, they will face Ipswich in the league at Portman Road.
Nuno’s side had to fight back from behind against the Grecians at St James Park on Tuesday. Ramon Sosa and Taiwo Awoniyi found the back of the net as the fourth-round match ended 2-2 after extra time, with Forest eventually triumphing 4-2 on penalties.
On the night, the travelling fans made their discontent known about the midweek journey, using some colourful language to direct their frustration at ITV, who were broadcasting the match live.
