BREAKING: FA Cup Replays scrapped from 24/25 season!
In a major change to the format, the Football Association (FA) announced on Thursday that FA Cup replays will be scrapped from the first round in the 2024/25 competition.
FA Cup Replays Scrapped!
As part of a new six-year agreement between the Premier League and FA, the Football Association on Thursday announced that FA Cup replays would be scrapped starting from the first round in the 24/25 season. Adding to that, the FA also announced that the FA Cup fixtures will no longer clash with Premier League midweek ties leading to postponed fixtures and instead will be played on free weekends.
The final will also be conducted on the penultimate weekend of the 24/25 Premier League season with no Premier League matches scheduled on the weekend to boost the importance of the competition. The shocking move by the FA comes on the back of the new agreement between the PL and FA and also due to the expanded format of UEFA competitions from next season. To avoid fatigue for players and a clash of ties, the move will be beneficial.
However, several fans have already criticized the scrapping of FA Cup replays on social media calling it a ‘disgraceful’ move. For a long time, replays have been part of the tournament till the fourth round, but the new format of the cup will no longer see any FA Cup replays from the first round itself.
This season, Man City and Chelsea find themselves in a semifinal while Man United will take on Coventry City in the second semifinal. The FA Cup final this season will be held on 25th May.
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