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FA investigate Cup draw error claim

Football Association bosses have launched an investigation after claims of a huge error in Sunday's televised FA Cup draw, reports the Daily Mail.

Millions of people saw former Arsenal star Sammy Nelson pull out what looked like ball No.25 but say it was ball No.24.

This meant that Aston Villa were drawn against Manchester United when they should have played Middlesbrough.

Supporters have complained to both the BBC and the FA but they claim it was just studio lights shining on the No.24 and distorting it.

But when Nelson called No.25 later, he had his fingers over the number so it is impossible to check it.

And while fans have been calling for a re-draw, Jon Keen, deputy chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation, told the Daily Star he was sure there was an innocent explanation.

He said: "There was a cock-up recently in the Scottish draw, so it's not unheard of. I would hope it's a trick of the light."

FA chiefs reviewed the footage but it emerged last night that the supposed error was a trick of the light. An FA spokesman said: "It's a number 24 but because there's a line underneath the numbers, at that angle on the film it does look like a 25. It's been verified by our competitions department.

"There's no mystery and absolutely no problems with the draw. We can understand how the confusion might have taken place.

"We can have a look at the ways the balls have been designed but we've never had a problem with them before."

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