Rio to the FA: Listen to the fans
Ferdinand backs replay calls
RIO Ferdinand has criticised football bosses for not properly consulting fans and clubs before axing FA Cup replays.
The ex-England and Manchester United star spoke out as members of the FA Council raised concerns at its meeting yesterday.
A total of 119 EFL and National League clubs, who rely on glamorous replays to boost their income, have called for them to be reinstated. Rio, inset, who played for his country 81 times and won six Premier League titles with United, said: “Fans and clubs are a big part of the game.
“So to have not consulted them on such an institution within the game is disappointing and a mistake. It’s important this happens in order to form a decision that suits everybody.”
Replays from the first round onwards are being axed, it is claimed, to reduce pressure on top-flight players involved in ever-moreintensive European competitions. The Mirror is campaigning to overturn the ruling. The FA has said it is aware of the strength of feeling but is not prepared to change its decision.
The FA council, made up of representatives from the 92 Premier League and EFL clubs, discussed the changes at yesterday’s meeting at the National Football Centre in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffs. A spokeswoman said afterwards: “A broad range of views were expressed. We are working on a financial package to ensure no lower league clubs lose out.”
Niall Couper, head of Fair Game, the campaign group backing our crusade, said members remain determined to save the magic of the Cup.
He vowed: “We will keep fighting. We believe in the prestige of the tournament and that should not be undermined.”
He said the 119 clubs that support bringing back replays have all either supported Fair Game directly or made public statements on the issue.
A host of former players have backed our crusade to save the Cup and more than 8,800 fans have signed a petition.