Everton Fan Advisory Board raises ‘genuine concern’ over FA statement
The Everton Fan Advisory Board has raised “genuine concern” over the decision to scrap FA Cup replays from the start of next season.
The Football Association (FA) announced on Thursday (18 April) that there will be no replays from the first round as part of a six-year agreement.
That has been met with widespread criticism as teams further down the pyramid potentially miss losing out on a huge payday.
In a statement published via X on Friday [19 April], the Everton FAB wrote: “The reaction up and down the country to announce FA Cup changes, clearly indicates how far we still need to go to ensure that the interests of the entire football community – including supporters – are properly considered by those charges with leading our game.
“We fully share the concerns that have been raised and stand in solidarity with the clubs and supporters outside the Premier League, who will undoubtedly bear the brunt of these changes.
“As well as providing a significant financial boost, the FA Cup has historically been a platform for clubs to showcase their talent and spirit, and any adjustments that diminish these opportunities are a cause for genuine concern.”
The statement added: “In the seeming absence of any meaningful consultation with supporter groups and football clubs throughout the pyramid, we also join others in calling for the proposed changes to be suspended until all stakeholders in our game are properly consulted.”
Everton FAB right to call out decision to scrap FA Cup replays
The FAB has spent the majority of the season occupied with the multiple Premier League charges and the whole takeover fiasco, so it is nice to be able to discuss something else.
Albeit this is yet another shocking decision that, while it may not impact Everton Football Club directly, is another kick in the you-know-what for clubs further down the food chain.
The FA Cup, as a reminder, is the world’s oldest domestic club competition. Yet instead of being proud of what it has, the FA constantly feels the need to make changes.
From midweek games, to scrapping replays after a certain round, to now doing away with them altogether because certain teams do not fancy cramming in an extra game.
Well here is a bit of advice to those teams: Win the initial fixture and you won’t have to concern yourself about a replay.
Furthermore, the final will now be staged on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season. So no longer will the FA Cup final be the showpiece of the season, as it should be, it will now play second-fiddle to title races and relegation battles.
Ultimately, though, should we really have expected anything else from those in charge?
In other Everton news, a player was slammed by BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty after what he was seen doing earlier this week.
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