Argyle join the great backlash in abolishing FA Cup replays

PLYMOUTH Argyle have called the scrapping of FA Cup replays from next season as 'misguided' and 'without the consultation and care that surely should be an enshrined prerequisite

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

The FA Cup will no longer have replays from the first round proper onwards as part of a new agreement between The Football Association and the Premier League. That has led to an angry response from clubs, not only in the EFL but at non-League level too, given that replays are often sources of invaluable financial revenue, as well as creating magical FA Cup moments.

A club statement was issued by Argyle following updates from the FA and the EFL, which outlined their respective positions over the issue, which has proved to be hugely controversial.

Argyle said: "Having taken in Thursday's news at the removal of replays from the Emirates FA Cup, and noted Friday's update from the FA, followed by a formal response from the EFL, we feel now is a good time to inform everyone of our stance on the issue.

"Our overriding emotions are of disappointment, and this is essentially twofold. Firstly, we are saddened at the proposed abolition of replays, which are long established within our oldest, most treasured competition.

"Secondly, it is very disappointing that such a decision has been taken with very little consultation with clubs at various levels. Had such consultation taken place, we feel very confident that the FA would have met with huge resistance, aside from a small number of elite clubs that benefit from this modification.

"Friday's FA statement indicates that consultations have taken place, but Plymouth Argyle have not been part of any consultations and neither, according to their recent statement, have the EFL at large.

"As custodians of the game of football in England, the FA have a duty to represent not just the Premier League and the EFL, but teams throughout the footballing pyramid.

One of the beauties of the FA Cup is that teams at various levels can come into contact, and replays enhance the joy of these meetings.