Alan Shearer slams FA for ‘appalling’ communication over scrapping FA Cup replays as he proposes solution to help lower league teams
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Alan Shearer has criticized the FA for “terrible communication” over the decision to scrap FA Cup replays.
English football is in turmoil after the FA and Premier League reached an agreement to abandon FA Cup replays due to the expansion of European competitions from next season.
This change will come into effect next season and comes in light of the calendar changes imposed by the expansion of UEFA’s European competitions.
Clubs across the football pyramid have expressed their frustration at the news, and Premier League bosses have been asked to give their verdict ahead of their respective matches this weekend.
However, before that, Shearer offered his own take on the subject before proposing an alternative idea for the FA Cup matches.
Alan Shearer slammed ‘terrible communication’ over decision to scrap FA Cup replays
The change will come into effect next year and comes amid calendar changes imposed by UEFA.
During the BBC’s half-time coverage of Man City v Chelsea, Shearer said: “I understand it from the Premier League club side, especially those who play in Europe, and I completely understand it from the lower league teams.
“You are in a really difficult situation because of the extension of UEFA’s dates. They went from six weeks to ten.
“And then, the replays of the third and fourth rounds, those replayed dates, those will be European dates, so that necessarily means that the teams that play in Europe won’t be able to play on those dates and won’t be able to make it.”
“I think the lack of communication from the FA has been appalling. For them to put out a statement the next day to say they will then discuss with the clubs how they are going to put the finances together, that has been really poor.
“I would consider something along the lines of doing away with extra time and going straight to penalties so that the lower league team also has a reasonable chance of qualifying and getting the best draw in the next round .
“And also looking at the same money, for every club, no matter what round you’re in, whether you’re televised or not. I think that would be a more sensible way of looking at it.
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