FA Cup replays will be scrapped for the 2020-21 season in a bid to ease the strain on clubs during the coronavirus pandemic, the Football Assocation announced on Thursday.
With a shortened
season starting a month later than usual in September there is more pressure on
an already hectic calendar.
The FA has taken
the decision that all ties in the FA Cup will be decided on the day rather than
allowing for the usual replay.
“In order to assist
in easing pressure on the football schedule, there will be no replays for the
2020-21 season,” the FA said in a statement.
“After two seasons
of record levels of prize funds, the Emirates FA Cup prize fund has returned
back in line with 2017-18 levels due to the financial impact of the Covid-19
pandemic.”
Significant changes
have also been made by the English Football League to the League Cup in a bid
to help teams cope with the schedule.
The first four
rounds will be compressed into consecutive weeks in September, with the fifth
round held the week before Christmas to avoid clashes with the Champions
League.
The two-legged
semi-finals, often criticised by managers, will now be played on January 5 or
6, with the club drawn first benefiting from home advantage.
Premier League clubs
will enter the competition in either round two, or round three for sides with
European commitments.
