19 April 2024 , 11:40
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No10 has intervened as football authorities face a backlash from angry fans after FA Cup replays were scrapped.
Rishi Sunak's official spokesman says the FA and the Premier League must explain how the controversial decision benefits supporters. Downing Street said fixtures between top flight giants and lower league sides are "part of the magic" of the cup - and said replays are valuable for smaller clubs.
Critics have branded the decision to scrap replays "another nail in the coffin for the already crumbling football pyramid". It comes after the Football Association announced the biggest shake-up in the competition's history.
Opponents argue it will have a devastating effect on smaller clubs, who will be denied revenue-generating fixtures as a reward for drawing against big sides. The PM's official spokesman said: "David and Goliath fixtures are a part of the magic of the Cup.
Premier League boss Chris Wilder has criticised the move (CameraSport via Getty Images)"We know that replays have been a welcome source of income for smaller clubs throughout the years. These are however decisions for the footballing authorities, but clearly it is incumbent on the FA and Premier League to explain this decision and why it is in the interest of fans."
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Critics have lined up to criticise the move. Fair Game 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 that does nothing to strengthen the game. It is another nail in the coffin for the already crumbling football pyramid.”
The replay change is one of a number of tweaks due to come into force in the 2024-25 season. The final will now take place one week before the end of the Premier League season, with no top-flight matches on the same day, while all matches apart from some fourth round fixtures will be held on weekends.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder became the first Premier League boss to hit out, saying: "The game is dominated and dictated by the big boys — and they don’t want FA Cup replays. What does that do to non-league clubs who get into the fairytale rounds and the financial implications?"
He went on: “I’ve been at both ends of the scale.The replay is a great reward. I’d have liked them kept.” Following the backlash the FA put out a statement, which said: "We have listened to the concerns expressed over the last 24 hours, and would like to outline the approval process which was undertaken for the 2024-25 professional game football calendar.
"We have been discussing the calendar for the 2024-25 season with the Premier League and EFL for well over a year. Removing Emirates FA Cup replays was discussed in the early meetings and all parties accepted that they could not continue."
And it went on: "The discussions then focused on how to make all of our competitions stronger, despite having fewer dates available and wanting to maintain player welfare."