EFL reforms dramatically scrapped as FA refuses to move FA Cup matches to midweek
Controversial Whole Game Solution had aimed to turn our professional game into a five tier, 100-club system by 2019
PROPOSALS to shake up English football have been dramatically scrapped after the Football Association refused to move FA Cup matches to midweek.
The EFL had put forward plans at the back end of last season to turn our professional game into a five tier, 100-club system by 2019 - dubbed the ‘Whole Game Solution’.
A winter break after the FA Cup third round in January had been mooted but for it to be financially viable for clubs, FA Cup matches needed to be switched to midweek to free up weekends for league fixtures.
Keep up to date with ALL the EFL news, gossip and transfers
However, the FA were no longer prepared to do this following the recent announcement of their new international broadcast deal.
And that has seen the EFL kick their controversial Whole Game Solution proposals into touch.
EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: “As a result of the FA’s decision, the board has been left with no option but to end the Whole Game Solution discussions as, in its current form, it is no longer viable.
Related Stories
“If the weekend slots are not available, then there is simply no way we can meet the financial conditions (to be no worse off) as outlined at the very outset.
“The stance the FA has adopted has brought the discussions to a premature end, before fully understanding what the financial outcome from the creation of a new distribution model could be.
“If the FA are willing to change its position then we are, of course, open to re-engaging in what is a hugely important debate that was designed to help shape the future of football in this country.”
The EFL’s shake-up plans had been greeted with mixed feelings by its clubs.
Some of its clubs’ chairmen were left wondering why the need to reduce fixture congestion had suddenly come on the agenda when it had not before - while others believed the Premier League to be the driving force behind it.
It had purely been at a theoretical stage with the EFL undergoing a consultation period with its members, needing 90 per cent of clubs to sign off on it for it to go through.
But following the FA’s decision, the proposals have now been shelved completely.