FA axe 5th round replays a year early
The introduction of a winter break in the Premier League next season brought with it changes to the FA Cup with 5th round ties to be played in midweek with no replays. Today the FA have decided to end replays at this stage of the competition a year early.
Replays in the 5th round have now been removed from this season’s competition. It was agreed by the Professional Game Board to alleviate fixture congestion due to six Premier League clubs having qualified for the knock out stages of the two European competitions.
This season’s ties will remain on the same dates in February but each game will be played to a conclusion with extra time and penalties should they be necessary. The prize fund for the 5th round is £360,000 this season and that figure will be split, no matter who the winners, if the game is level after 90 minutes.
They really do seem to make the rules up as they go. Will it affect us? We’ve reached the 5th round just once in the previous seven seasons.
Follow UpTheClarets:
Share this page :