FA Cup shocks were at a premium over the third-round weekend with non-league Tamworth heartbreakingly denied the chance of a replay with Premier League Tottenham after a controversial decision
Clubs will be asked for their views on the new-look FA Cup but extra time looks set to stay.
But the Football Association have insisted there is no chance of a U-turn over replays after the new-look third round weekend. Non-league Tamworth took Tottenham to extra time but were denied a money-spinning replay because of the changes to this season’s competition.
FA chiefs always planned to review the changes at the end of the season and extra time will come under those discussions. But it is highly unlikely that any change will be made over extra time because the FA Cup drama does draw in extra viewers as it would have done on terrestrial TV for the Tamworth tie and also Arsenal’s third round with Manchester United which went all the way to penalties.
It would also be virtually impossible to make major changes – like with extra time – for next season and scrapping replays was ultimately done because of an increasing fixture list because of extra European games.
THE FA CUP GIANT KILLERS: Get your special edition magazine celebrating some of the game’s greatest-ever upsets
Non-league Tamworth were denied the chance to take Spurs to a replay after a 0-0 in normal time. Ange Postecoglou’s side eventually got over the line thanks to an own goal from Nathan Tshikuna, as well as strikes from Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson.
Tamworth boss Andy Peaks bemoaned the revenue that his side lost out on due to the FA’s decision. He said: “I think it obviously would have been a massive amount of money.
“It’s annoying because we’ve got enough free Tuesdays to add a replay, but I guess it seems like Spurs and the big boys haven’t got any more dates, so I guess that’s why it was cancelled. It’s a shame for non-league teams, it would have been an unbelievable day out.”
Morecambe boss Derek Adams is also among those to criticise the decision to scrap replays. “I don’t think it’s right and I think we should have that,” he said.
Should FA Cup replays be reinstated? Share your thoughts in the comments below
“It’s the same as Premier League teams not wanting to have a European Super League. It’s the same ethos and we want to try and generate as much money for our own club, but the rules are the rules.
“I know we have been compensated in a certain way in that the winners get X amount of money and the losers now get Y, but it doesn’t equate to what it would have been if there was a replay.”
In all, five FA Cup fixtures went to extra-time across the weekend. Doncaster beat Hull on penalties, with Manchester United doing the same to Arsenal. Coventry were also successful from the spot against Sheffield Wednesday, while Burnley required another half an hour to see off Reading.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Learn more