FA Cup replays to be scrapped?

[tiger76]

No surprise that this is being suggested given the CL expansion in 2024.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62965782

[dsr]

Let's see, there are 732 clubs in the FA Cup and 7 of them play in Europe. I wonder where the priorities will lie.

Perhaps it would help these overworked clubs if they were told they were allowed to play reserves? As they already do? Or as an alternative, give them the right to forfeit rather than play a replay if they aren't good enough to win outright.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

One option could be those who qualify for Champions League spots don't enter the FA cup or league cup the following season

Opens the cups for someone else to win them and qualify for Europe etc...would certainly make them more interesting

[Roosterbooster]

I agree there are too many games. But that isn't because of the FA cup or league cup

Fix the problem, not the symptom

[Middle-agedClaret]

The clubs which whinge about too many games always seem to be able to find the capacity to play meaningless,if lucrative, friendlies abroad.

[bobinho]

Follow the money...

[Wembley09]

Always sat on the ‘in favour’ side when it comes to FA Cup Replays.
Been times when the revenue from an FA Cup Replay has changed the financial history of a football club for the better.

Really pathetic that the ‘elite’ think they have a right to control the whole sport.

[JohnMac]

As Simon Jordan said today, 'football' is pushing for reforms to our existing system in order to benefit the same 6 clubs that voted to form a European Super League.

[claretfern]

Preferred it 'back in the day' when there was replay after replay after replay. As for the CL ...only for the Champions - straight knockout over 2 legs (as it was) I'm nostalgic

[tiger76]

As Simon Jordan said today, 'football' is pushing for reforms to our existing system in order to benefit the same 6 clubs that voted to form a European Super League.

Simon Jordan is bang on the money, and I'd be tempted to call their bluff and say if they want to form a ESL on they go, but they would have to forfeit their PL place if they wish to go down that route.

They make me laugh whinging about too many games, yet they are more than happy to play more meaningless CL games too generate revenue.

[Tricky Trevor]

They should go the European route, not all, and play the tie to a finish on the ground of the lower ranked club. Big payday, chance for their fans to see some superstars and a chance for the lower ranked club to progress.

[AlargeClaret]

Will it ever be enough for the big clubs ? Not only do they have a champs league where pre qualifying is reduced to a min ( wouldn’t want a 2/3rd placed Citeh/Lpool being knocked out in Aug would we) they get multiple subs throughout the season and still not satisfied with an expanded CL , they wanna reduce their FA Cup involvement.Lets face it it’s pretty much the failed super league blended in .

[Woodleyclaret]

If they want real reform play a European contest formed of the teams that actually won their league not ones which finished second, third and fourth .Another competition for cup winners.No stupid Europa leagues.

[Vegas Claret]

it won't be long until the PL owners push to scrap relegation

[Jimscho]

If they scrap FA cup replays small clubs like Blackburn Rovers wont have the opportunity to draw at home against say Man Utd and then play against Utd in front of a big crowd.

[JohnDearyMe]

I know that securing replays can be really lucrative for lower league teams against the bigger teams but would their chances of victory increase if they went straight to extra time/penalties rather than a replay? Would be funny if it backfires on some PL clubs

[Silkyskills1]

Always funny, Matt, when anything backfires on bigger clubs.

[Chester Perry]

I have been posting about this for a number of years now - The pressure is actually coming from FIFA and UEFA though these clubs - both FIFA and UEFA want domestic top tiers to have no more than 18 teams and participation in only one domestic cup so that they can maximise their own revenues to distribute amongst the wider football family - at least that is what they will tell you.

[Buxtonclaret]

..... so that they can maximise their own revenues to distribute amongst the wider football family - at least that is what they will tell you.

Just like Septic Bloater did for all those years.

[Roosterbooster]

I think its reasonable that the top leagues have fewer clubs, and therefore fewer league games, given a good number will play more FA Cup and League Cup games, plus European games, and more internationals.

If 20 isn't low enough, then how about making it 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 in 5 leagues

A nice round 100

Just as long as the redistribution of wealth goes with it

[dsr]

I think what they want is:

1. Guaranteed places in Europe and in the Premier League for the "usual 6".
2. 6 more teams in the PL to make up the numbers, but not eligible to win anything. Newcastle not invited.
3. Some more divisions, they don't really care what goes on past their own noses.

[dsr]

I think its reasonable that the top leagues have fewer clubs, and therefore fewer league games, given a good number will play more FA Cup and League Cup games, plus European games, and more internationals.

If 20 isn't low enough, then how about making it 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 in 5 leagues

A nice round 100

Just as long as the redistribution of wealth goes with it

I certainly wouldn't contemplate cutting the Champinship fixtures by 12 games just in case we have more cup ties.

Why not just let the bigger clubs use their extra money to have bigger squads and to play their reserve players in the cups? Or has that never been tried?

[Petersa]

I have been posting about this for a number of years now - The pressure is actually coming from FIFA and UEFA though these clubs - both FIFA and UEFA want domestic top tiers to have no more than 18 teams and participation in only one domestic cup so that they can maximise their own revenues to distribute amongst the wider football family - at least that is what they will tell you.

Never seen the pockets of the likes of Blatter, Infantino and Platini descibed as the wider football family before!

[dsr]

Never seen the pockets of the likes of Blatter, Infantino and Platini descibed as the wider football family before!

Well, Blatter was pretty wide.

[Devils_Advocate]

We might not like who is driving this suggestion and why but it seems a sensible one to me. Over the last few seasons I've seen League 1 and League 2 resting first team players in FA Cup matches and pretty much all Premier League and Championship teams do this.

If the majority of teams don't care enough about the competition to field their strongest team to win the first match then I don't see the justification for needing them to do it all again via a replay and not just getting a result there and then

[Chester Perry]

Never seen the pockets of the likes of Blatter, Infantino and Platini descibed as the wider football family before!

there are over 200 FA's around the world, I tis no secret that Infantino is cementing his power base by activities in the African and Asian Confederations, I have been posting about that for years on the MMT

[ClaretDiver]

So now they are considering scrapping replays on a case by case basis based on who the club is?? Either scrap them or don’t scrap them…..although if they scrap them totally they will have to refund the tv companies