FA Cup Replays Could Be Scrapped in English Football Calendar Reform
FA Cup replays may be eliminated at the third and fourth round stages as part of a plan to reform the English football calendar. This proposal comes after numerous high-profile players and managers have expressed concerns about fixture congestion and the negative impact it has on players’ health. The potential changes would also affect the League Cup, with two-legged ties possibly changing to one, and the FA Cup fifth round returning to a weekend slot for the first time since 2019-20.
The decision to scrap fifth round replays in 2017-18 was met with criticism, and fans are once again unhappy with these potential changes. Replays have traditionally offered lower league clubs the opportunity to earn a significant payday, and the alterations are seen as favoring the bigger clubs. Many fans argue that this decision will hurt non-league and smaller teams who rely on the additional income from replays.
One football fan expressed their dissatisfaction, stating, “Awful decision. The non-league sides that rely on the replay money will be hit hard.” Another fan criticized the bigger clubs, saying, “So lower league clubs lose out on potential paydays because the greedy league are complaining about too many games… The same greedy league clubs that travel all over the world for about six weeks before the season begins playing God knows how many games to boost revenue.”
The potential elimination of replays in the third and fourth rounds is seen as detrimental to the game as a whole. Critics argue that Premier League teams have enough squad depth to handle all their fixtures and do not need the extra help. They suggest that if the bigger teams are truly superior, they should be able to win their games outright without relying on replays.
It is worth noting that third and fourth round replays were already scrapped in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the current proposal aims to make these changes permanent.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk recently spoke out about the busy fixture schedule and its impact on players’ health. He emphasized the need to prioritize players’ well-being and suggested that players should contribute to finding a solution. When asked if he would be willing to give up 10% of his salary to play fewer games, Van Dijk responded negatively. He clarified that the number of games played should not depend on individual salaries.
The potential reform of the English football calendar aims to address concerns about fixture congestion and player welfare. While some argue that eliminating replays would benefit bigger clubs, others believe it would disadvantage lower league teams who rely on the financial boost provided by replays. The final decision on these proposed changes will have a significant impact on the future of English football and the balance between big and small clubs.