The Football Association (FA) and Premier League have agreed to scrap FA Cup replays from the first round onwards starting next season, moving the final to the penultimate weekend of the Premier League campaign. The decision has sparked fury among lower-league clubs and critics, who describe the process as an 'absolute disgrace'.
Mark Bullingham, the FA's chief executive, defended the changes, stating they secure 'a strong format for the future' for a trophy that generates the majority of the FA's income. The Premier League argued the change was necessary due to the expansion of European fixtures from next season.
Mark Palios, former FA chief executive and executive chair of League Two side Tranmere Rovers, strongly criticised the deal. 'The process is an absolute disgrace, a deal concocted in the corridors of power,' he said. 'This is not just about the cash, it’s about the enjoyment experienced by fans of lower league clubs... This deal reflects the unrestrained march of mammon in football and it will destroy the game.'
Fair Game, a coalition of clubs advocating for financial sustainability, echoed the criticism. CEO Niall Couper said: 'Scrapping FA Cup replays from the first round proper deprives lower league clubs of a much-needed source of revenue. This is a short-sighted move... It is another nail in the coffin for the already crumbling football pyramid.'
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder noted the change suits the biggest clubs. 'The game is dominated by the big boys, and the big boys don’t want FA Cup replays, do they?' he said. 'I am a traditionalist and I would have liked to have seen it kept the same but the game is moving on.'
The EFL also expressed disappointment, with chief executive Trevor Birch stating the league was not part of the bipartite agreement. 'This is frustrating and disappointing given the calendar is a shared asset across football,' he said.
