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Why were FA Cup replays scrapped? Real reason for controversial decision

The Football Association and Premier League powers collaborated to end FA Cup replay fixtures in a decision that sparked backlash from plenty of supporters

Everything you need to know about why FA Cup replays were scrapped

1. End of a Long Tradition: For more than 150 years, FA Cup replays were used to settle drawn matches by holding a second game at the away team's stadium. This tradition was permanently removed from the first round proper onwards, starting with the 2024/25 season, to streamline the professional football calendar.
2. Expansion of European Football: The primary reason for stopping replays is the expansion of UEFA’s club competitions, which has added a significant number of extra matches for top-tier teams. This expansion left fewer available mid-week dates in the domestic schedule, making it nearly impossible to fit in additional cup fixtures for the elite clubs.
3. Prioritising Player Welfare: Reducing the total number of games is intended to protect players from physical burnout and reduce the risk of injury during a congested season. The FA and the Premier League believe removing replays allows squads to better manage their workload across multiple tournaments.
4. Consistency Across All Rounds: To simplify the tournament, the "finish on the day" rule now applies to every stage of the competition proper. This replaces the old system where replays were scrapped only from the fifth round onwards, creating a more uniform structure for all participating clubs.
5. Settling Draws with Extra Time: If a match ends in a draw after the standard 90 minutes of play, teams no longer head to a rematch at a later date. Instead, they immediately play 30 minutes of extra time to determine a winner while the fans are still in the stadium.
6. Penalty Shootouts: In the event the score remains level even after 30 minutes of extra time, the tie is decided by a standard penalty shootout. This ensures every fixture produces a definitive result on the day, allowing the next round's draw to proceed without uncertainty.
7. Exclusive Weekend Windows: The FA’s official explanation highlights all rounds are now played on weekends to ensure the competition has its own dedicated spotlight. By removing midweek replays, the FA aims to maximise television audiences and ensure cup fixtures do not clash with Premier League matches.
8. Increased Funding for the Pyramid: As part of the new format agreement, the Premier League committed an additional £33million per season to support grassroots and lower-league football. The FA argues this guaranteed investment provides more long-term financial stability for smaller clubs than the unpredictable revenue from occasional replays.
9. READ THE FULL STORY: FA Cup scrapping replays as radical overhaul to competition officially confirmed