FA make call on reversing controversial FA Cup changes after huge backlash from clubs

The FA has issued an official response after receiving a backlash over controversial changes to the FA Cup.

English football's governing body announced on Thursday that FA Cup replays are set to be scrapped from the first round onwards from the 2024/25 campaign.

In addition to that change, FA Cup games will now be played on the weekends, while the final itself will be held on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season and will not clash with league matches.

The removal of replays has been met with anger from EFL and non-League clubs, with the decision set to lead to a potential loss of revenue for teams lower down the football pyramid.

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony warned it could lead to a "fallout within English football", while League Two club Grimsby Town branded the changes "disgraceful".

The FA has now responded to those concerns, confirming it will press ahead with the changes despite the backlash.

A statement read: "We have listened to the concerns expressed over the last 24 hours, and would like to outline the approval process which was undertaken for the 2024-25 professional game football calendar. We have been discussing the calendar for the 2024-25 season with the Premier League and EFL for well over a year.

"Removing Emirates FA Cup replays was discussed in the early meetings and all parties accepted that they could not continue. The discussions then focused on how to make all of our competitions stronger, despite having fewer dates available and wanting to maintain player welfare.

"The changes to the Emirates FA Cup achieve this by returning it to a weekend competition on every round, and ensuring that we have exclusive broadcast slots in an increasingly congested calendar.

"To clarify, we have also increased the number of Emirates FA Cup matches that will be broadcast in the early rounds, which will lead to additional guaranteed broadcast revenue for EFL and National League teams.

"Additionally, we review the prize money annually for the competition, together with representatives from the EFL and PL and will do the same for the 2024-25 season.

The changes will come into effect next season (Image: Getty)

"The calendar for next season was approved by the Professional Game Board, which consists of four EFL representatives and four Premier League representatives, last month, and then by the FA Board, which includes Premier League, EFL, National Game and grassroots representation. This is the process we undergo every year to approve the calendar.

"We understand the concerns expressed over the last 24 hours, and we will be sharing more details with clubs very shortly to explain the additional revenue opportunities in the early rounds.

"We will keep this under review as the new calendar begins to ensure that EFL and National League clubs do not lose out."