Sport nationGary Lineker’s radical FA Cup replay solution that would impact Liverpool and Everton
The FA announced on Thursday that FA Cup replays would be scrapped from the first round onwards from next season
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Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has called on the FA to consider the financial implications for lower league clubs following the decision to scrap FA Cup replays from the first round onwards.
The FA’s announcement on Thursday, made in collaboration with the Premier League, aims to reduce fixture congestion, especially with the expansion of UEFA competitions next season. However, this move has been met with criticism from EFL and non-league clubs who are concerned about losing a crucial source of income.
The FA has since released a statement on Friday which states that they will ensure lower league clubs do not miss out on funds. On The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker discussed the potential impact on smaller clubs: “I am not a fan of replays.
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“I understand their significance, particularly to the smaller clubs, the lower league clubs, I totally get that and the possible finance of a replay that they may get. I know it doesn’t happen very often but it is the case.”
He added his concerns about player welfare: “I do worry about the amount of games that footballers play so the fewer fixtures the better in that sense. Plus of course, you have the Champions League which will have more games next season.
“But it is not really about the top clubs, it is about the smaller clubs. If they have taken the replay away, I think they need to find a way of recompensing the lower clubs in another way.
“If it is to give them all the revenue of wherever they are drawn or the lower team, wherever they are in the football pyramid, gets the home tie but I would understand if players [did not want that because they] want to play at Old Trafford, play at Anfield, Stamford Bridge and all the big grounds.
“My thoughts are pretty mixed.”
Responding to this, ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards voiced his fears over football turning into an elitist sport. Adding further, he mentioned: “You are damned if you do, damned if you don’t. I think it is becoming very elitist and this is what I don’t like.
“I think the format is great. You said that the revenue is important to these lower clubs. It is already harder for the lower end of the Premier League clubs to challenge at the top end of the elite and now it feels to me like they [lower league clubs] are getting forgotten about and that’s the bit that doesn’t sit well with me.”
Under Lineker’s proposals Liverpool and most likely Everton would either miss out on funds from FA Cup matches or would be forced to play the vast majority of their ties away from home in the competition.
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