The Football Association has defended its decision to scrap FA Cup replays in 2024-2025, insisting it had been “accepted by all parties” that it could not continue.
On Thursday, it was announced that the tournament would be held only on weekends and that rematches after the first round would be eliminated.
League Two club Tranmere said the FA and Premier League had clarified “It's a complete lack of respect.”
But the FA said negotiations have been ongoing for “more than a year”.
“Removing the Emirates FA Cup replay was discussed at an early meeting and all parties accepted that it could not continue.” The FA released a statement.
“The subsequent discussion focused on how we can make all competitions stronger, despite having fewer dates available and wanting to maintain player welfare.”
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag told a press conference on Friday that it was “very sad for the culture of English football”, but added that the outcome was “inevitable”.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak's deputy press secretary said: “David and Goliath matches are part of the cup's appeal and we know that rematches have been a welcome source of income for smaller clubs for many years. “There is,” he said.
But Downing Street said it was ultimately the decision of the football authorities.
Meanwhile, Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said the rematch was “part of FA Cup tradition” and said it was the “wrong decision”.
The EFL and a number of clubs at the bottom of the football pyramid have criticized the FA over the past 24 hours, claiming it is depriving them of traditional sources of income.
League One club Exeter and their supporters' trust “condemned” the decision and called on the FA to “immediately suspend these changes pending consultation of all stakeholders”.
League Two side Notts County said in a statement: “As the world's oldest professional football club and past FA Cup winners, we are deeply disappointed that English football is losing part of its soul.” Ta.
Fellow League Two club Barrow said it was “totally unacceptable”.
However, the FA says next season's calendar has been approved by the Professional Game Board, which is made up of four EFL representatives and four Premier League representatives.
“The changes to the Emirates FA Cup will achieve this by returning each round to a weekend competition and securing exclusive broadcast slots in an increasingly crowded calendar,” the FA said.
“We have also increased the number of Emirates FA Cup matches that will be broadcast in the early rounds, which will ensure additional broadcast income for EFL and National League teams. Additionally, we have increased the number of Emirates FA Cup matches that will be broadcast in the early rounds. We plan to do the same in the 2024-25 season, with the participation of representatives from the EFL and PL.
Speaking before Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Championship side Manchester United, Coventry manager Mark Robins admitted it was “shocking”.
“It's difficult because all these clubs, grassroots, clubs below the EFL, are part of a pyramid that needs to feed each other and ultimately the Premier League. '' Robbins said.
“There are other things that could happen, such as rematches up to the third round, but that doesn't affect the big clubs.”
