FA CUP FACES BOYCOTT THREAT.
Clubs are threatening to boycott the FA Cup in protest against the axing of replays after Downing Street demanded answers over a decision that has plunged the Football Association into crises,
The FA failed yesterday to quell a growing revolt against a deal with the Premier League that has also cost the Cup Final its traditional place in the calendar....furious English Football League teams warned they were ready to withdraw from the Cup.
As EFL clubs queued up to issue statements condemning Thursday's announcement by the FA and Premier League and demanding the decision be reversed pending full consultation...Mark Palios, the chairman of Tranmere Rovers... who was FA chief executive between 2003 and 2004...said he was ready to back a boycott.
"There needs to be further debate," he said...."But if that was the situation that most of the clubs felt that way, I'd support it."
Palios's comments came after the chairman of Accrington Stanley...Andy Holt, led calls for clubs to unite in fighting back.
"I would support a boycott if enough clubs feel the same," Holt posted on X after demanding the Premier League sign off on its stalled £900 million football support system before making any "concession's" over the Cup's future.
The boycott threat was compounded by government intervention courtesy of a spokesman for the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.
"David and Goliath fixtures are a part of the magic of the Cup," he said, "We know replays have been a welcome source of income for smaller clubs throughout the years...These are...However... decisions for the footballing authorities...But clearly it's incumbent on the FA and Premier League to explain this decision and why it is in the interests of fans."
The FA was accused of trying to shift "blame" for that decision by the vice-chairman of its own FA Cup committee...Steve Kavanagh...the Millwall chief executive and EFL board member.
Kavanagh also sits on the Professional Game Board...which the FA claimed had "approved" a calendar that included no Cup replays from the first round because of the relentless expansion of the Champions League and Club World Cup.
He said..."It would appear the FA were trying to point the finger of blame at the EFL...which is beyond belief...I am incredulous.
"For the FA to not be prepared to take responsibility fot its own actions...its own agreements...is spineless.
Replays were sold off and the Cup Final moved to the penultimate weekend of the season in exchange for a £33 million-a-year payment from the Premier League and other concessions over scheduling.
Kavanagh said..."I am actually vice-chairman of the FA Cup committee...I didn't even get a notification on that committee...No real conversation took place on that committee regarding this.
"The FA are trying to shift the finger of blame...they need to take a long...hard look at themselves and think about whether they absolutely represent the full pyramid.
Article continues.............
The Daily Telegraph Sport supplement...20/04/2024.
What it is showing is that EFL clubs are being marginalised by these changes,.....and if this goes on then EFL clubs should claim compensation....especially for the loss of replays.
