FA accepts £33m from Premier League and agrees to scrap FA Cup replays
To the consternation of many lower league fans, the FA have agreed to a raft of changes to the world famous FA Cup competition – in return for the Premier League increasing funding to grassroots teams by £33m.
The changes controversially include an end to all replays from the first round proper stage onwards and an earlier date for the traditional end-of-season FA Cup final.
Typically, the FA have put a positive spin on the changes with FA chief executive, Mark Bullingham saying that “the new schedule ensures the magic of the cup is protected and enhanced, whilst working for the whole of the English game.”
Many fans would argue the new schedule ONLY benefits the Premier League, who have pushed for the reduction in fixtures and earlier cup final in order to extend their summer break. Whether it would benefit the whole of the English game is much more in doubt. Traditionally FA Cup replays have been seen as a chance for smaller clubs to earn substantial extra revenues. The new changes mean there will be no replays, with all games going to extra time and then penalties.
The FA Cup final will also be moved a week forward and a full round of Premier League fixtures will be played on the day after the final.
The FA says the changes to the FA Cup schedule will allow a later start for the Premier League. “This longer summer break allows all Premier League clubs to be better able to ensure that players get a consecutive three-week break in the summer,” an FA statement said.
Jo
18th April 2024 @ 2:24 pm
Football used to be enjoyable before they started ripping off the fans.omg the world money mad anyone would think they were fighting wars
Marco polo
18th April 2024 @ 2:38 pm
I don’t agree , when say a Conference club gets a draw at a Prem club that replay can b a Lifeline.
Jeff
18th April 2024 @ 5:06 pm
Money money money
Football is dead
Tim Jones
18th April 2024 @ 6:44 pm
hope vale are against this !! send a bloody strong message to the clowns in charge
David Brown
18th April 2024 @ 11:12 pm
With the EPL providing competition finance they have a strong say in changes that suit them. Scrapping FA Cup replays reduces fixture congestion for the EPL top clubs and their newly extended Champions League format, but it does nothing for EFL or non league clubs and supporters who want to keep FA Cup traditions. Is £33m enough to compensate them financially ? I recall the Vale drawing away to Liverpool in 1964 in FA Cup 4th Round, and the club’s finances boosted by a 42,000 gate in the Vale Park replay. But, from next season all the benefits of a replay would be abolished. Despite last year’s protests, it seems ECL is still edging towards a European Super League. Then what, for EFL clubs ?
Ian Mountford
19th April 2024 @ 12:48 am
The next move will be to give all premiership teams a bye into the last 32. In the last 10 years the powers to be have changed English football beyond all recognition with total disregard of the fans who pay to attend these games. It makes you want to stick two fingers up to them, and leave it to them and let the games be played in empty stadiums for the TV audiences !
R
19th April 2024 @ 9:06 am
Just another example of the Premier lge getting their own way by dangling a paltry bit of cash in front of the FA and they not having the stones to say its the Football Association cup stop devaluation it and if you don’t like it don’t play in it and you have to wonder where will this end
Melvyn
19th April 2024 @ 9:17 am
Absolutely disgraceful
Peter
19th April 2024 @ 5:18 pm
Replays are a lifeline for clubs below the second tier, and the chance to play at a first class ground. Just proves that all that counts is money, not the game of football and definitely not the supporter of smaller clubs