Major change to FA Cup being considered as fans blast ‘awful decision’ that’s ‘terrible for the game as a whole’

FA CUP replays could be scrapped at the third and fourth round stages as part of plans to reform the English football calendar.

Several high-profile players and managers have complained about having to play too many games, claiming fixture congestion causes harm.

The two-legged League Cup ties could also change to one while the FA Cup fifth round would return to a weekend slot for the first time since 2019-20, according to the .

It follows the scrapping of the fifth round replays which came into effect in 2017-18.

Fans are not happy with the potential changes as replays offered lower league clubs the chance to earn a payday, with the alterations seen as favouring the bigger clubs.

One football fan said: “Awful decision. The non-league sides that rely on the replay money will be hit hard.”

Another added: “So lower league clubs lose out on potential paydays because the greedy league are complaining about too many games…

“The same greedy league clubs that travel all over the world for about six weeks before the season begins playing God knows how many games to boost revenue..🤬”

A third wrote: “This just hurts non-league/smaller teams who need the money. Here’s a thought perhaps the big teams should win their games in the first place if they’re that good.”

And another commented: “Terrible for the game as a whole. Premier league teams have enough squad to play all games they don’t need the extra help.”

Third and fourth round replays were previously scrapped in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons because of the coronavirus pandemic.

FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk recently claimed the busy fixture schedule is having a negative impact on players’ health.

He said: “In England we believe the schedules are too busy. The players are getting paid well but it should never come at the cost of our health.

“We keep having to play more and more games. We as players should start saying something about it, contribute to a solution.”

The centre-back was then asked by Dutch media whether he would be willing to give up 10% of his salary if he were to play less games and responded: “No.”

When pressed on the issue he said: “I don’t think having to play less games depends on my salary?”