Dale join chorus of replay disapproval
ROCHDALE added its voice to the widespread condemnation of the Football Association’s decision to scrap replays in the FA Cup from next season.
One of the club’s two appearances at Wembley came in a fifth round replay against Tottenham Hotspur in 2018 and for many Dale supporters, memories of the 2-2 draw at Spotland, Steve Davies’ 93rd minute equaliser and all, not to mention a day out at the nation’s home of football are among the most cherished of a period of unheralded success under Keith Hill’s management.
As of next season, such ties will be decided without the option of a replay, much to the chagrin of the majority of clubs taking part in the competition.
Presented by the FA and Premier League as an exercise in strengthening the competition and support for grassroots football, the two bodies announced the ‘update’ to the FA Cup in a statement which read: ”The FA and the Premier League have reached a new agreement which will strengthen the Emirates FA Cup format with new and exclusive calendar windows.
“The agreement, which is for a minimum of six years, starts next season. All rounds of the Emirates FA Cup will now be played on weekends, including the fifth round which has been played in midweek for the last five seasons.
“The fourth and fifth rounds and the quarterfinals all will be exclusive of Premier League fixtures for the first time, and the fourth round will have an extended window from Friday to Wednesday to allow fans to watch consecutive days of Emirates FA Cup football.
“From the first round proper, the competition will be played without replays. The current format, which has no replays from the fifth round onwards, has been extended throughout the ‘Competition Proper’ in light of changes to the calendar driven by the expanded UEFA competitions.
“The Emirates FA Cup Final will now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, on an exclusive Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day. Additionally, there will be no Premier League games on the Friday night before the Final, to allow focus on the build-up to the showpiece event.
“Separately, the Premier League has increased funding to the football pyramid, providing up to an additional £33 million for grassroots football on top of the £100 million it currently gives to good causes each season.
“The League will provide up to £133 million per season from the 202526 season, maintaining existing commitments and enhancing support to key areas of the game. The Premier League currently gives away £1.6 billion every three years – 16 per cent of its total revenues – to all levels of men’s and women’s football, and this new money will provide significant support to a range of areas as the game continues to grow.
“This commitment will see increased investment to both the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund to develop facilities at lower league clubs, improving the playing and spectator experience, as well as clubs’ financial sustainability. The funding will also create more opportunities for people with a disability to play football, and support the ongoing development of the girls’ game.”
The statement added: “This new agreement between the FA and the Premier League strengthens the Emirates FA Cup and gives this very special tournament exclusive
weekends in an increasingly busy calendar.
“The new schedule ensures the magic of the Cup is protected and enhanced, while working for the whole of the English game.
“The longer summer period also allows a much-needed player break before the start of the next season.
“We have also agreed new funding for the grassroots game, disability football and the women’s and girls’ game. All football begins at the grassroots, and this is recognised by the Premier League with very welcome additional financial support.”
Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters, added: “The Premier League is proud of the investment it provides to all levels of the game and this new agreement with the FA will see us enhance
our support into grassroots football. This will improve facilities for communities and lower league clubs across the country, through the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund.
“Throughout our discussions, both parties have been committed to enhancing the scheduling of the Emirates FA Cup, a hugely important domestic competition with a storied history.
“The FA and the Premier League have worked in partnership to deliver more exclusive weekends without compromising the excitement of knockout football and this has been achieved at the same time as allowing us to ease fixture congestion generally.”
However, a great many EFL and non-league were angered that such a decision was reached without consultation.
A statement on the official Rochdale AFC website read: “Rochdale Football Club expresses its sincere disappointment at Thursday’s announcement regarding the scrapping of FA Cup replays from the first round onwards.
“As we understand it, there was no consultation from the FA with any clubs outside of the Premier League. EFL, National League and grassroots clubs were left to receive the news via the mainstream media, much to our dismay.
“The importance of FA Cup replays to clubs like us must not be underestimated. One of our proudest days came in the historic competition in 2018, when we travelled to Wembley to face Tottenham Hotspur in a fifth-round replay. Two years later, a third-round replay at Newcastle United’s
St James’ Park followed.
“Occasions like these provide vital income for clubs but also leave supporters with lifelong memories that only competitions like the FA Cup can produce.
“That these opportunities have been taken away from all the 700-plus clubs who enter the competition, particularly after a lack of consultation, shows a complete disrespect for the football pyramid.
“We implore the FA to reconsider this decision. We will be working with fellow National League clubs, and all those affected, to do all we can to oppose it.”
Fair Game CEO Niall Couper said: “Scrapping FA Cup replays from the first round proper deprives lower league clubs of a much-needed source of revenue.
“This is a short-sighted move that does nothing to strengthen the game. It is another nail in the coffin for the already crumbling football pyramid.”
Nicola Palios, vice chair of Tranmere Rovers, said: “729 teams compete in the the FA Cup. Why is its format being dictated by the Premier League who represent about three per cent of them?
“Why were EFL clubs not given a say?”