The FA Cup fourth round kicks off this Friday amidst significant changes to the competition. The elimination of replays from the first round onwards, along with the possibility of removing extra time in the future, are key topics of discussion.
The FA Cup fourth round kicks off this Friday with a clash between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford, continuing a season of significant changes for the world's oldest cup competition. Ruben Amorim's Sporting CP benefited from the decision to abolish replays in the third round last month, defeating Arsenal on penalties in a thrilling FA Cup tie at the Emirates Stadium.
Meanwhile, non-league Tamworth missed out on the opportunity for a lucrative replay at Tottenham's 62,850-seater stadium after losing to Ange Postecoglou's side in extra time. This weekend sees clubs striving to secure their place in the fifth round. From the 2024/25 season onwards, FA Cup replays have been eliminated from the first round onwards. If a match ends in a draw at full time, it will proceed into extra time. If the additional 30 minutes fail to produce a winner, the tie will be decided by a penalty shootout. This change was implemented following a new scheduling agreement between the Football Association and the Premier League, lasting for the next six years. The Premier League will provide grassroots football with an extra £33 million in funding annually. The decision, partly driven by the expansion of European competitions with Champions League and Europa League games now taking place in January, aims to alleviate congestion for teams in both European and EFL competitions, promoting player welfare. However, the move has drawn criticism from clubs outside the Premier League. Replays have provided smaller teams with a chance to boost their finances and, in some cases, guarantee their survival. While the FA has agreed to additional payments to compensate clubs, those affected claim they were not consulted regarding this change. Gary Lineker, a BBC host, has even suggested that the 30 minutes of extra time could be eliminated in the future, with ties going straight to penalties if a match ends in a draw after 90 minutes. This proposal aims to assist lower-league teams who have drawn against stronger opponents. The FA is planning to review the FA Cup again at the end of the season. Although there is no chance of replays being reintroduced, this review could lead to further changes in the format.
FA Cup Replays Extra Time Manchester United Leicester City Premier League EFL Football Association
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