FA Cup prize money slashed in HALF over impact of Covid-19 with winner landing just £1.8m compared to £3.6m Arsenal got
FA CUP prize money has been slashed by half for next season as the financial crash in football because of Covid-19 continues to bite.
FA CUP prize money has been slashed by half for next season as the financial crash in football because of Covid-19 continues to bite.
The Football Association have been forced to lower the money forked out to teams across the competition – hitting those most in need the hardest.
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Semi-pro and lower league teams are fighting for their survival following the coronavirus pandemic and many were hoping a decent Cup run might be able to keep them alive.
Last year teams who won a game in the extra preliminary round were awarded £2,250 while the losers collected £750 – but those payments have been reduced to £1,125 and £325 respectively.
Winning a fourth qualifying round tie to make the First Round proper had been worth £18,750 to a club, but next season that reward is slashed to just £9,375.
That will be a hammer blow to clubs down the football pyramid who are operating hand to mouth in order to survive.
League One and Two clubs will also see a dramatic reduction of prize money when they enter the competition, with a victory in the second round dropping in value from £54,000 to £34,000.
With big paydays in terms of plum draws against Premier League sides also off the table because of the lack of capacity crowds, the cut in prize fund will add to the misery of those hardest hit.
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The winners of the FA Cup will collect £1.8million instead of the £3.6m Arsenal received for beating Chelsea earlier this month.
The clash between the London clubs was behind closed doors following a three-month delay due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
The FA Cup is the first trophy win for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta since he took up the manager's role at the Emirates in December last year.
