Fa Cup Replays Scrapped

acnumber9

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makes sense - the only argument for it was the money it often generated for smaller clubs
Yeah and it was the only argument that really mattered. Just another way to make it easier for clubs with 20 plus internationals in their squad.
 

MancunianAngels

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Keep seeing about smaller clubs losing out on replay revenue but let's be honest here, what they're talking about is the dream scenario where you draw United/Liverpool/Arsenal at home and then draw to get the big gate money in the replay. How many times has that actually happened in recent memory?

If anything this might help smaller clubs get further in the competition and earn the big matches because they just have to survive 120 minutes then win on penalties.
I genuinely think it adds something quite unique to these matches especially if you're a lower league side facing a top PL side at home.

Cambridge had a replay v United in 2015

Rochdale had Spurs in 2018 and Newcastle in 2020.

That's just from a quick Google. Probably loads more.

More examples in 1st/2nd rounds where even a 6th/7th tier side taking a League 1/2 sides would generate tens of thousands that can fund a club for a full season.

There's also the extra bonus of another potential TV opportunity for the "smaller" clubs.
 

golden_blunder

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Disgusting decision. Has woody got a new job at the FA because this stinks of someone being incompetent at their job
 

Mainoonited

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FA Cup replays scrapped from the first round onwards


The FA and the Premier League have reached a new agreement which means the FA Cup format will change for the 2024-25 season.

Starting next season, FA Cup replays will not take place beyond the first round.
I like the idea, but I think when a PL or Championship Team plays against a lower league team, 80% of the revenue generated should go to the lower league team, even if the ties home or away.
 

Dan_F

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I can see both sides of it, scrapping the replays that is, not the process they’ve used which is obviously pathetic.

It definitely gives smaller sides a better chance of going through in a one off game, it seems like the smaller clubs are willing to sacrifice that for a really small chance at a bigger pay day.

If money really is the main issue here then the bigger side should give 100% of profit for the match to the team lower down in the leagues. Including league one/two giving to conference and below.
 

Rood

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So surely that's quite a big argument then?

Football isn't just about things as comfortable as possible for the biggest clubs.
Yeah and it was the only argument that really mattered. Just another way to make it easier for clubs with 20 plus internationals in their squad.

I don't know how big an argument it is actually - would love to see some stats about how many lower league clubs actually benefit from cup replays

Most years it's a random bonus for just a handful of clubs, certainly not the kind of revenue stream any club should rely on - passing money from PL down the pyramid in a more sustainable and equally distributed way is what they need, not the random lottery of cup replays

I know in United's case they don't happen very often, and I have a feeling that the actual numbers might be insignificant but it's just a guess so if anyone can be arsed to look into it then feel free

Regardless of that, the way it's been done without any consultation is obviously a total sham
 

MalaysianRed7

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Fans of small clubs desperately hate us and want to be rivals with us. I was at the West Ham game and the way the West Ham fans reacted to Lisandro’s injury was absolutely disgusting. They cheered it like a goal. The number of times I’ve seen them accuse referees of favouring us as if situations like the Garnacho pen and offside goal against the North London clubs at the start of the season didn’t happen staggers me as well. Also, remember how all the talk after our 0-0 draw against the “wee club from the North East” last season was that they didn’t get a pen when a stonewaller on Sancho also wasn’t given?

Forgive me if I don’t have any pity for them over this decision, whether it be right or wrong (I have no real opinion either way). Generally, I find them more self-gratifying and self-pitying than fans of bigger clubs.
 

padzilla

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Greed strikes again. Screw the little guys as long as FC Corporation or PLC United are given priority.
 

Longshanks

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It's an absolute disgrace of a decision. There are no there are no other words for it. It's a betrayal of the EFL and non league pyramid by the FA.

The FA is meant to stand for all clubs at all levels they have compleatly ignored the wishes of the vast majority of clubs In this country to pander to the big boys.

If they were worried about games should of taken the European clubs out of the League cup. The FA cup is sacred and the replay system is a USP for it especially when you get David Vs Goliath games. It's now just gonna feel even more watered down.
 

Eric_the_Red99

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Would rather see League Cup abolished like in France. Fa Cup replays seem to help 'smaller' clubs earn more money so with that in mind it's not as good decision as I thought before reading others' posts in here.
I’d prefer it if they got rid of pointless international friendlies (including the Nations League) during the season, and cut down on the number of qualification matches too. Big clubs like United are rightfully being blamed for the replays decision, but FIFA and UEFA also deserve criticism for adding more pointless fixtures to an already overcrowded football calendar simply to make more money.
 

JB7

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It's an absolute disgrace of a decision. There are no there are no other words for it. It's a betrayal of the EFL and non league pyramid by the FA.

The FA is meant to stand for all clubs at all levels they have compleatly ignored the wishes of the vast majority of clubs In this country to pander to the big boys.

If they were worried about games should of taken the European clubs out of the League cup. The FA cup is sacred and the replay system is a USP for it especially when you get David Vs Goliath games. It's now just gonna feel even more watered down.
100% this. Glad to see these types of opinions in this thread, I stayed out the thread yesterday because I half-assumed it would be full of entitled United fans going "oh about time" or "great decision" and I didn't want to get into a slanging match. Disgrace is the correct word. They've taken a competition of 750 odd teams and bent over for the PL acting in the interests of what, 8 of them? Absolutely pathetic and should be overturned immediately.
 

RaddyRed

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Its a terrible decision but I'm not overly bothered by it. This is just the final nail in the FA Cups coffin. Ruined by the Premier league and FA, with the main cause as always in modern football, money.

Wouldn't surprise me if the smaller teams are allowed to switch venues if they are drawn at home to one of the big boys. The days of United away at the likes of Newport County are probably over.
 

LilienFan

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Does England have a rule like Germany that 3rd division (League One) and lower automatically get to play home games against the top two divisions? Cause in that case it might not be so bad. If you are still even after 90 minutes, your chances to advance surely increase under the new format, rather than go to a replay and get mugged/eliminated.

Can´t complain about it "being all about the money these days" as a fan/lower league clubs, and then complain when rules are introduced that increase your chances to advance in a competition, because you´d rather be eliminated for an extra payday.
 

Adz_99

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That's total muck in terms of not consulting the lower league clubs. They really do make an arse of themselves time and time again.



Not just PL clubs though. It can also help if a conference club goes on a run and gets a Championship or League 1 side in a replay. Some of them have big stadiums too now.
Fair point. My gut feeling though is you'll see more upsets and more teams from the 3rd, 4th, 5th tier going to the third round and beyond.

Generally speaking a replay is going to favour the stronger side.
 

strandty

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Does England have a rule like Germany that 3rd division (League One) and lower automatically get to play home games against the top two divisions? Cause in that case it might not be so bad. If you are still even after 90 minutes, your chances to advance surely increase under the new format, rather than go to a replay and get mugged/eliminated.

Can´t complain about it "being all about the money these days" as a fan/lower league clubs, and then complain when rules are introduced that increase your chances to advance in a competition, because you´d rather be eliminated for an extra payday.
I worked at Grimsby for 7 years and in League Two etc, it's not all about progression in the Cup really. It's all about getting to the 3rd Round and getting an away draw at one of the big clubs. The payday from the gate receipts, TV and commercial helps certain clubs survive for years, or improve infrastructure in a way they wouldn't have been able to do before. A home draw, granted would be amazing but they'd all be begging for a replay if they got United at home etc.
 

Rood

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Does England have a rule like Germany that 3rd division (League One) and lower automatically get to play home games against the top two divisions?
Nope - never knew that was a thing

Although small clubs often make the most revenue when they play away at big clubs, rather than home - depends on the ground sizes though
 

DomesticTadpole

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Does England have a rule like Germany that 3rd division (League One) and lower automatically get to play home games against the top two divisions? Cause in that case it might not be so bad. If you are still even after 90 minutes, your chances to advance surely increase under the new format, rather than go to a replay and get mugged/eliminated.

Can´t complain about it "being all about the money these days" as a fan/lower league clubs, and then complain when rules are introduced that increase your chances to advance in a competition, because you´d rather be eliminated for an extra payday.
Think Spain do the same, the big club goes to the smaller club in the early rounds.
 

Revan

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I genuinely think it adds something quite unique to these matches especially if you're a lower league side facing a top PL side at home.

Cambridge had a replay v United in 2015

Rochdale had Spurs in 2018 and Newcastle in 2020.

That's just from a quick Google. Probably loads more.

More examples in 1st/2nd rounds where even a 6th/7th tier side taking a League 1/2 sides would generate tens of thousands that can fund a club for a full season.

There's also the extra bonus of another potential TV opportunity for the "smaller" clubs.
I think there is an easy fix for this. Whenever two teams from different leagues play a match in the FA Cup, automatically the home team is decided to be the one from the lower league.
 

terraloo

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Its easy to focus on a small club v a big club when it comes to an FA Cup replay but the simple fact is that certainly in the qualifying rounds clubs actually make a loss playing in the FA Cup. That is once travel costs , stewards , overnight if applicable (costs which would double if there is a replay) match officials, flood lighting , VAT, et then there is often little left

I personally think that alongside the removal of the replays it would possibly have been a bit more attractive if the rule was reversed whereby clubs were forbidden ,save on safety issues ,to switch grounds

What we have seen is very few PL clubs will take the FA Cup seriously till they get the say the quarters it’s a tournament that has seriously been eroded that’s sad but I personally think the problem lies down to international breaks and for me certainly for the third / fourth and possibly 5th rounds they could be played in those breaks and yes I know clubs will have players on international duty but squads including Utd & Chelsea but it wouldn’t have be interesting to see how things played out
 

Utd heap

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Fans of small clubs desperately hate us and want to be rivals with us. I was at the West Ham game and the way the West Ham fans reacted to Lisandro’s injury was absolutely disgusting. They cheered it like a goal. The number of times I’ve seen them accuse referees of favouring us as if situations like the Garnacho pen and offside goal against the North London clubs at the start of the season didn’t happen staggers me as well. Also, remember how all the talk after our 0-0 draw against the “wee club from the North East” last season was that they didn’t get a pen when a stonewaller on Sancho also wasn’t given?

Forgive me if I don’t have any pity for them over this decision, whether it be right or wrong (I have no real opinion either way). Generally, I find them more self-gratifying and self-pitying than fans of bigger clubs.
What on earth are you on about.

West Ham aren't remotely a small club in this context either.
 

MalaysianRed7

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What on earth are you on about.

West Ham aren't remotely a small club in this context either.
I’ll spell it out in easy terms: I don’t care about small/smaller clubs. They don’t care about us, I don’t care about them.
 

strandty

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I think there is an easy fix for this. Whenever two teams from different leagues play a match in the FA Cup, automatically the home team is decided to be the one from the lower league.
The 'lower' club would want to play at the bigger ground.
 

Steve Bruce

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Another revenue stream dies for lower league clubs. What a game this has turned into.
It's alright though, killing the domestic game means we can have more European football matches and world club cup matches.

Can't wait for more international matches added as well. Let's royally f*#k football up properly.

I'm beginning to fall out of love for football. It's always been about glory but now it's all about making money and killing off the less lucrative side of football.
 

Jund

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Ah! Sure. OK. As long as PL and Championship clubs are always visitors to L1 and lower tier clubs and revenue goes 100% to the latter.
 

FujiVice

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I’ll spell it out in easy terms: I don’t care about small/smaller clubs. They don’t care about us, I don’t care about them.
Except they do care about us, because big clubs provide a revenue source through buying their players, loaning them players or giving them friendlies to keep them going to hopefully develop players who may go on to be something in the future. Ivan Toney was playing for Peterborough. Jamie Vardy played for the non-leagues. These clubs have every right to exist as much as some billionaire who operates at a loss does.
 
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Fans of small clubs desperately hate us and want to be rivals with us. I was at the West Ham game and the way the West Ham fans reacted to Lisandro’s injury was absolutely disgusting. They cheered it like a goal. The number of times I’ve seen them accuse referees of favouring us as if situations like the Garnacho pen and offside goal against the North London clubs at the start of the season didn’t happen staggers me as well. Also, remember how all the talk after our 0-0 draw against the “wee club from the North East” last season was that they didn’t get a pen when a stonewaller on Sancho also wasn’t given?

Forgive me if I don’t have any pity for them over this decision, whether it be right or wrong (I have no real opinion either way). Generally, I find them more self-gratifying and self-pitying than fans of bigger clubs.
Id hardly say West Ham are a small club and every club has dickhead fans… including us.

The issue is lower league clubs and ensuring money cascades down the pyramid for the good of the wider game, youve completely missed the point. Sounds like you’d support a Super League.
 

Scriblerus

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This is rotten. But how about this idea : any club that is drawn against an opponent two divisions above them can choose whether to play the tie at home (for ground advantage, etc) or away (for share of higher gate receipts).
 

JB7

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I’ll spell it out in easy terms: I don’t care about small/smaller clubs. They don’t care about us, I don’t care about them.
Yep. There it is, the sort of cnutish entitled bollocks that I expected to see more of in this thread.
 

MancunianAngels

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Its easy to focus on a small club v a big club when it comes to an FA Cup replay but the simple fact is that certainly in the qualifying rounds clubs actually make a loss playing in the FA Cup. That is once travel costs , stewards , overnight if applicable (costs which would double if there is a replay) match officials, flood lighting , VAT, et then there is often little left

I personally think that alongside the removal of the replays it would possibly have been a bit more attractive if the rule was reversed whereby clubs were forbidden ,save on safety issues ,to switch grounds

What we have seen is very few PL clubs will take the FA Cup seriously till they get the say the quarters it’s a tournament that has seriously been eroded that’s sad but I personally think the problem lies down to international breaks and for me certainly for the third / fourth and possibly 5th rounds they could be played in those breaks and yes I know clubs will have players on international duty but squads including Utd & Chelsea but it wouldn’t have be interesting to see how things played out
Apparently, qualifying round replays are staying next season.
 

tenpoless

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Dont even know why it was there to begin with. Never liked it... so a good change for me.
 

Steve Bruce

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No replays is the best decision ever.....a such out-dated rule.

I don't agree, it's been the fabric of the FA cup for as long as i remember.

However my issue isn't just about small clubs not getting a reward of holding manchester united at their patch and they get a big day out at OT. It's because the ONLY reason why this is happening is to fit in extra games in Europe.

It's not going to give clubs less games to play, they'll just replace the dates held for replays for other games.

Pre-Season for example, if there was an extra 3 weeks in the off season, players wont be rested any more than they currently are, they'll just fill that time with tours of the world to once again cash in on the available times.

Soon we'll see reduced teams in the Premier League, even less rounds or scrappage of League cup. Premier League sides entering at a later stage of the FA than round 3 but the players will end up with no less games to play overall because the champions league will get bigger again with more games, there will be more internationals with the WC and the Euros(and other regions) increasing teams.

What we are seeing is football positioning itself to make as much money as possible by replacing low income games with high income games. If anyone thinks this is for the benefit of the players health and wellbeing or for the betterment of the game, your sorely mistaken.
 

terraloo

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Apparently, qualifying round replays are staying next season.
They are but my point was that replays don’t always lead to the pot of gold that some believe. It would have been far more sense to do away with replays in the 6 yes 6 qualifying rounds prior to the first round proper where other than home advantage in the vast bulk of replays there is no financial advantage whatsoever or as a minimum adopt the same rule as in the FA Trophy where a replay is not mandatory
 

Lay

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I’ll spell it out in easy terms: I don’t care about small/smaller clubs. They don’t care about us, I don’t care about them.
This is just silly. It goes against why the league structure is so good in England compared to other nations.