Decisions to “revamp” the FA Cup have sparked debate among many of the lower league clubs in the area.
The decision was made to scrap replays from the first round onwards in 2024-2025, with all rounds also played on the weekends, including the fifth round, which has been played during the week for the last few years.
The controversy over the changes comes mostly from the fact that clubs outside of the English Premier League were not consulted prior to the changes being made.
Earlier this week, the Board of Grimsby Town Football Club said in a statement that they found it “absolutely disgraceful that such fundamental changes to the format of the FA Cup have been agreed without, it seems, any consultation outside of the English Premier League.”
The Board goes on to state that, “this is yet another example of why the Independent Football Regulator, with the right powers, is so important to the game and cannot come soon enough” and how “the dreams of so many should not be denied by so few.”
In a statement issued on the 19th of April, 2024, the FA says that they have “listened to the concerns expressed” and explained that they have been “discussing the calendar for the 2024-2025 season” for “well over a year”.
Early discussions, according to the FA, concentrated on the removal of the FA Cup replays before moving on to focus on “how to make all of our competitions stronger, despite having fewer dates available and wanting to maintain player welfare.”
And so, the changes were made to make the return to a “weekend competition on every round” so that the FA can ensure that, in spite of the increasingly congested football calendar, exclusive broadcast spots remain intact.
Chief Executive of the FA, Mark Bullingham, explained in a statement that “the Emirates FA Cup is our biggest asset and generates over 60 percent of our revenue to invest into the game, so it is critical to secure a strong format for the future.”
The FA says they “understand the concerns expressed” and will be in touch with the clubs “very shortly” to explain, while keeping the changes “under review” as the new calendar begins to “ensure that EFL and National League clubs do not lose out.”
