Football News Update: FA Cup Qualifying Rounds Retain Replays, EFL Disappointed
In a significant announcement for football enthusiasts, the FA Cup qualifying rounds will continue to feature replays when ties are level after 90 minutes. This decision comes despite the recent removal of replays from the first round of the prestigious tournament.
EFL chief executive Trevor Birch expressed his disappointment, stating, >”This represents another lost traditional revenue stream for EFL clubs at a time when the financial gap between the biggest clubs and those further down the pyramid is growing bigger than ever.” The EFL will be “seeking appropriate compensation arrangements” to address this matter.
The men’s FA Cup winners will receive a substantial £2 million, while non-league and lower league clubs stand to benefit significantly from the prize money and potential broadcast revenue as they progress through the rounds.
Other notable changes include the scheduling of the fourth and fifth rounds, as well as the quarter-finals, to avoid clashing with any Premier League fixtures for the first time. The fourth round will be played in an extended window from Friday to Wednesday, and the FA Cup final has been moved to the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, with the final scheduled on a Saturday.
These modifications aim to strengthen the FA Cup and provide exclusive weekends for the tournament in the increasingly crowded football calendar, as stated by FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.
The agreement also sees the Premier League increasing its funding to grassroots football, with an additional £33 million being provided, further underscoring the commitment to the growth and development of the sport at the community level.
As the football season continues, fans can look forward to the thrilling action of the FA Cup, Euro 2024, the Champions League, the FIFA World Cup, the Women’s World Cup, the Africa Cup of Nations Standings, the Premier League, the EFL Cup, the EFL Championship, the EFL One, the EFL Two, and the FA Cup, all of which promise to captivate audiences worldwide.
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