Birmingham City Ladies manager David Parker has blasted the Football Association over the way in which the FA Women’s Cup draw is conducted.
Parker criticised the FA, stating he wanted future draws to be televised. He told BBC Sport: “If I’m in the FA’s position, you want an Arsenal, a Man City or a Chelsea in the final.
“Do you want a Birmingham City? They probably don’t want that.”
An FA spokesperson responded to Parker’s comments insisting theyadhere “to a stringent set of rules to ensure transparency and fairness” during the draw process.
They also added in regards to broadcasting the draw live: “In line with our desire to reach a wider audience for the women’s game, the draw was announced live on Twitter for the first time. We hope in future that the interest will continue to grow and the opportunity will be afforded for live broadcast of draws in a similar way to the men’s game.”
Birmingham defeated reigning WSL champions Liverpool in the fifth round of the cup to advance to the quarter finals, the draw of which was made on Monday 23 March.
Ahead of Monday’s draw Parker says he had told his players “We will draw a big gun out the hat again. Shock.” He said he also warned them to expect an away tie.
Sure enough, Birmingham were drawn away to fellow WSL 1 side Manchester City but the FA maintain the process fully complied with the rules and was adjudicated accordingly.
