Disputes have erupted among English football officials on Friday regarding the cancellation of replays in the FA Cup, as lower league officials claim they were not involved in the decision-making process following an angry backlash from clubs fearing for their income sources. The FA announced on Thursday the cancellation of replays in England's major club competitions starting next season, sparking criticism from lower league competitions and calls to reconsider the decision.
The English Football Association clarified in a statement on Friday that representatives from the Football League, which comprises competitions at the second, third, and fourth levels, approved the cancellation of replays during meetings. However, the association stated that the FA and the Premier League alone made the decision.
The FA indicated that it "has discussed the schedule for the 2024-2025 season with the Premier League and the Football League for more than a year," explaining that "the discussions touched upon the cancellation of FA Cup replays in early meetings, and all parties agreed they could not continue."
However, the Football League asserted that it had discussed the matter with the FA last September but did not reach an agreement before the decision was announced. It added: "Only the Premier League and the FA agreed to the arrangement that cancels replays from the competition system, and prior to the announcement of the arrangement, there was no agreement with the Football League and no formal consultations with the clubs of the Football League as members of the FA and participants in the competition."
