Premier League
FA Defends Scrapping FA Cup Replays After Criticism From EFL Clubs
The English Football League (EFL) representatives have reportedly supported the decision to scrap FA Cup replays from the upcoming season, as confirmed by the English FA on Friday. This decision comes amidst backlash from numerous lower-league clubs, who have raised concerns about the elimination of revenue-generating matches.
The English FA revealed the decision on Thursday as part of a six-year deal with the Premier League aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the domestic Cup competition.
“We have been discussing the calendar for the 2024-25 season with the Premier League and EFL for well over a year,” the FA said in a statement. “Removing Emirates FA Cup replays was discussed in the early meetings and all parties accepted that they could not continue.”
The announcement follows criticism from several lower-league clubs, who have expressed disapproval of the decision. This move prevents smaller clubs, particularly those drawn at home against top-tier opponents, from capitalizing on revenue opportunities through lucrative replay matches away.
“It does kick everyone in the teeth below (the top flight). There’s nothing we can do about it, apart from voice our concerns,” Mark Robins, manager of Championship side Coventry City, said ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United.
United manager Erik ten Hag called the change “very sad for the British football culture,” before adding that it was inevitable. “It’s due to the overload in the schedule and that’s dictated by FIFA and UEFA,” he said. “You see there is so much overload on the players, we talk about this issue so often. And it has to stop… for top players, this is a measure that can make some space in the schedule.”
League Two side Bradford City said in a statement that they understood “this decision was taken without any consultation with the EFL or its clubs, nor those at National League or grassroots level.”
The FA stated that the revised calendar was endorsed by the Professional Game Board, comprising representatives from the Premier League and the EFL, and subsequently approved by the FA Board, which also included representation from the National League and grassroots football.
Blackpool, a League One club, criticized the decision, highlighting that the club only learned of the change following Thursday’s announcement.
Mark Devlin, the CEO of Leyton Orient, described the decision as “potentially very harmful” for the English football pyramid. He noted that their FA Cup replay against Arsenal in 2011 had contributed to 30 percent of the club’s annual revenue. “We have seen first-hand exactly how beneficial FA Cup replays can be,” he said.
Numerous lower-league clubs, such as AFC Wimbledon, Wigan Athletic, Notts County, and Cambridge United, released statements expressing their dissatisfaction with the decision. Bristol Rovers went a step further by urging the FA to “pause their decisions.”
The elimination of replays has not only sparked backlash from football clubs but has also garnered political attention. The UK Prime Minister’s deputy spokesperson called for the FA and the Premier League to justify their decision and clarify how it benefits fans.
British opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer emphasized that replays are a traditional aspect of the FA Cup and serve as a significant source of revenue for smaller clubs.
“Small clubs are struggling financially, they need that revenue, they deserve that revenue,” he was quoted as saying by the BBC. “If they’ve gone far enough to get a replay they should have their replay.”
The FA acknowledged the concerns that had been raised following the announcement of the decision. “We will be sharing more details with clubs very shortly to explain the additional revenue opportunities in the early rounds,” the FA added.
