Football chiefs across the land are backing Mirror Football's campaign to save FA Cup replays that can be a vital lifeline for clubs and communities.
Owners and chairmen have written to the FA and to Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Lucy Frazer calling for the games to be reinstated. They claim the move has been driven by top Premier League clubs and risks widening football’s wealth gap.
The letter said: “We want to save the FA Cup. The Premier League’s influence in this decision is yet another example of football’s growing divide that has seen the gaps between and within divisions grow at all levels.
“Participating clubs were not consulted. Our clubs as well as the fans have been let down. We are determined to see this decision reversed and fully support amending the Football Governance Bill to make sure such a move can never happen again without the backing of a majority of eligible clubs.
“This flawed process has devalued the most prized domestic cup competition in the world.”
Campaign group Fair Game is consulting with all lower league clubs after a meeting attended by a host of bosses. It was introduced by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.
Clubs have accused the FA of “betraying the values and traditions of the game” to protect European competition and line the pockets of billionaire owners. Top Premier League club chiefs claim they are worried about fixture pile-ups as they progress in contests such as the Champions League.
But the letter added: “Concerns about a packed calendar do not stand up. In the last 10 years, there have been fewer than 10 occasions when a club playing in European football has been taken to an FA Cup replay. Decisions are being made behind closed doors.”
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Fair Game chief executive Niall Couper said 25 clubs signed up to the campaign within hours. They include Tranmere Rovers, Grimsby Town and Leyton Orient. And the number is growing.
The cash brought in from replays can help keep struggling clubs afloat. The FA said more televised games in early cup rounds will give lower league outfits a financial boost, while prize funds are also “being looked at”.
The FA announced the deal scrapping replays two weeks ago but were immediately faced with a backlash from EFL teams. In response though, the governing body insisted that the calendar had been fully approved.
“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," a statement read.
“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.
“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.”
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