FA Cup replays could be scrapped in the near future as part of a huge shake-up for football’s oldest cup competitions.
The Football Association is reportedly preparing to sell its media rights to the Premier League in a huge commercial deal. A sale could give the top-flight the ability to assume control over the competition’s schedule.
It is suggested a deal is close between the Football Association and the Premier League. The deal at hand is for oversees rights, but chief executive Mark Bellingham is considering the offer and the Premier League’s terms.
What will change in the FA Cup?
There could be the abolition of FA Cup replays.
These currently take place when two teams draw in their first match and the away team from the first leg is given the opportunity to host the reverse fixture.
It results in lots of fantastic memories every year and ensures that small clubs fill out their ground when bigger clubs from the Premier League visit like an online casino.
Earlier rounds in the competition are usually played on a weekend, but these could be moved to midweek ties in a bid to get more games on television. This is where broadcasting rights come into the equation.
FA warned not to sell cup TV rights to Premier League
There are growing fears a deal would hand the top flight more power over fixture list.
The FA has been warned that selling the FA Cup’s international rights to the Premier League will seriously weaken the historic competition.
David Bernstein, the former FA chairman who has been one of the voices campaigning for an independent regulator for football, told The Times: “It is vital the FA maintains complete control of the FA Cup. We have already seen the loss of cup replays and the FA Cup being squeezed, and if the international rights are taken over by the Premier League this will be another sign of the weakening of the competition.
“The FA Cup has suffered because of the success of the Premier League and European competitions — no one can pretend it has the same status as 20 or 30 years ago. Even if it means more money than the FA could get elsewhere, it puts more authority into the hands of the Premier League.
“One of the key issues behind the setting up of an independent regulator is the power of the Premier League and to ensure there is balance, and this would make it even more powerful when it comes to determining fixtures.”