FA Cup may never look the same again as major change to tournament format is considered
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WEMBLEY bosses will consider scrapping extra-time in next season’s FA Cup. But there is NO chance of replays coming back. Tamworth were denied the prospect of a money-spinning trip to N17 when they were forced into an extra half-hour after holding Spurs to a goalless draw in 90 minutes.
![[FA Cup trophy with Emirates Fly Better ribbons.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/03-06-2023-general-view-896234721.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
In every other season, those third-round heroics would have guaranteed a replay. Those matches have previously seen minnows scoop more than half a million in gate receipts and TV cash. Prem clubs’ concerns over fixture congestion, exacerbated by the new initial stage of the Champions League and Europa League spreading into the last two weeks of January, saw the FA force through the decision to end all replays in April.
![[Jordan Cullinane-Liburd reacting during a soccer match.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/tamworths-jordan-cullinane-liburd-reacts-963263848.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
However, there is a growing feeling within the FA that finishing games after 90 minutes and going straight to a shoot-out will be better - especially for the lower-tier teams. Tamworth visibly tired after Ange Postecoglou was able to send on Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski for extra time on Sunday, with Spurs eventually scoring three in the additional 30 minutes.
Manchester United also had to play for an extra half hour with 10 men against Arsenal, although they did then win the shoot-out to progress to round four. United will have played 16 matches between the start of December and the end of this month, with the heavy workload likely to bring further injuries.
