The FA Cup fourth round begins this Friday as Manchester United host Leicester City at Old Trafford and the controversial change for the world’s oldest cup competition will proceed.
Ruben Amorim’s side benefited from the choice to scrap replays within the third round last month as they beat Arsenal on penalties in an exciting FA Cup tie on the Emirates Stadium.
Meanwhile, non-league Tamworth were denied the prospect of a lucrative replay at Tottenham’s 62,850-seater stadium after they lost to Ange Postecoglou’s side in overtime.
Here is all the pieces it’s essential to know as clubs look to book their spot within the fifth round across this weekend.
Do FA Cup fourth-round games go to extra-time and penalties or replays?
From the beginning of the 2024/25 season, FA Cup replays have been scrapped from the primary round onwards.
If the rating is level at full time, the match will go to overtime. If the extra half-hour doesn’t provide a winner then the tie is set by a penalty shootout.
Why were FA Cup replays scrapped?
The choice to scrap replays was announced in April last 12 months after the Football Association agreed a brand new scheduling take care of the Premier League.
The agreement is in place for the subsequent six years with England’s top-flight set to supply grassroots football with an additional £33 million value a funding per season.
It is alleged the choice was made partly due to the expansion of European competitions, with Champions League and Europa League games now being played in January.
In theory, no replays will ease congestion – for each teams playing in Europe and people within the EFL – and support player welfare, however the move has been criticised by clubs outside of the Premier League.
Replays have provided smaller teams with the chance to spice up their funds and in some cases have guaranteed their survival, and while the FA have agreed extra payments to compensate clubs, those affected say they weren’t consulted over the change.
‘The agreement which now sees the abolition of replays from the competition format was agreed solely between the Premier League and FA,’ the English Football League said in a press release last 12 months.
‘Ahead of the deal being announced there was no agreement with the EFL nor was there any formal consultation with EFL Clubs as members of the FA and participants within the competition.
‘This latest agreement between the Premier League and the FA, within the absence of monetary reform, is just an additional example of how the EFL and its Clubs are being marginalised in favour of others further up the pyramid and that only serves to threaten the long run of the English game.’
Could FA Cup overtime be scrapped in the long run?
Speaking last month, BBC host Gary Lineker suggested that half-hour of overtime may very well be scrapped next, with ties going straight to penalties if the match ends in a draw after 90 minutes.
The concept of removing overtime is to assist teams lower down the leagues who’ve earned a draw against tougher opposition.
Within the FA Cup third round last month, National League side Tamworth held Tottenham to a goalless draw after 90 minutes before Postecoglou’s side went on to attain three goals in overtime to avoid a penalty shootout.
‘I feel in the event that they’re going to remove replays they need to take away extra-time since it really favours the strong teams,’ Lineker said.
The FA is planning to review FA Cup once more at the tip of the season, nonetheless, there isn’t any likelihood that replays can be reintroduced.
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