FA Cup replays will be scrapped from the first round next season as part of a six-year agreement with the Premier League to strengthen the domestic competition, the English Football Association (FA) announced on Thursday.
The FA added that all FA Cup rounds will be played on weekends from next term, with the fourth and fifth rounds, plus quarterfinals, to be held exclusive of Premier League matches.
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“From the first round proper, the competition will be played without replays,” the FA said.
“The current format, which has no replays from the fifth round onwards, has been extended throughout the ‘Competition Proper’ in light of changes to the calendar driven by the expanded UEFA competitions.
“The FA Cup final will now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, on an exclusive Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day.”
