Several top-flight players have cancelled their holiday during the Premier League's winter break due to FA Cup third-round replays, it's been claimed.
Crystal Palace, Everton, Wolves, Brentford, Luton, West Ham and Nottingham Forest will need to play replays after drawing their respective third-round ties. Manchester United will join them if they draw at Wigan on Monday night in the round's final clash.
These replays will take place in a week's time, slap bang in the middle of the Premier League's winter break. Most top-flight clubs are required to play just two league fixtures this month to give players a rest heading into the second half of the season.
Yet some players will not get as much time off as expected thanks to the FA Cup. Replays, which are also played in the fourth round but no longer exist in later rounds, are part of the competition's history - but they're also controversial. Many managers want to see them scrapped due to fixture congestion.
According to the Daily Mail, several Premier League players were desperate to avoid a draw in the third round after booking a luxury getaway. Some of these stars have now rearranged their plans after the weekend's results.
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Palace's game with Everton will need to be played again after a goalless draw at Selhurst Park, as will Brentford's clash with Wolves following a 1-1 result in London. Luton could only manage a goalless draw against League One Bolton, while West Ham were held at home by Championship side Bristol City. Nottingham Forest also failed to beat a third-tier outfit, as Blackpool secured a 2-2 draw at the City ground.
Once upon a time, replays were enforced in every round of the FA Cup - including the final - until a winner was determined inside 90 minutes. Replays have been gradually scaled back over the last 30 years and are now in danger of being removed altogether. The Football Association is expected to scrap third and fourth round replays next season.
The FA Cup has caused havoc with the Premier League's winter break (Getty Images)What's your opinion on FA Cup replays? Let us know in the comments below!
"It is a reality," said Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo. "Everybody is aware there is a big congestion of games and fixtures are every day. It is something they have to look at. If you ask me, I think it should be finished on the day - extra-time, penalties and whatever.
"Allow the players to have a little bit more time to recover. Premier League teams are suffering with that. You know the issues with injuries, and one of the things is the amount of fixtures we are exposed to."
Although Premier League managers aren't in favour of replays, those at lower league clubs are. They are viewed as valuable sources of revenue for clubs below the top two divisions, with ticket revenue split 50/50 between home and away teams. There's also TV cash.
Wigan will be fully aware of this ahead of their clash against the Red Devils. A draw on Monday night would secure them a trip to Old Trafford - which is guaranteed to be televised - and half of the ticket revenue. Around 75,000 fans could attend such a game.
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