Lower league clubs could BOYCOT the FA Cup in fury after the Premier League and FA agreed to scrap replays of the hallowed tournament.

Furious lower league clubs have raised the possibility of boycotting the FA Cup after the Premier League and FA’s controversial decision to abandon replays.

Owners and fans of many teams outside the elite have been outraged by the decision, which they say will hit them in the pocket and was made without them being consulted.

A number of clubs came forward to make public statements denouncing the elimination while a series of urgent meetings were held by the EFL, who themselves claimed that the abolition of replays “had been agreed solely between the Premier League and the FA.

Mail Sport understands one of the options discussed was a boycott of the competition when the changes come into force next season.

Such a move is unlikely, sources said, but it is considered a “nuclear option.” One of the main concerns is that such a boycott could put the Premier League’s solidarity payments at risk.

Accrington chairman Andy Holt backed the proposal if other clubs agreed to withdraw

Accrington chairman Andy Holt said on X, formerly Twitter, that he would “support a boycott if enough clubs felt the same”.

The FA says it made the decision as part of an expansion of the Champions League, which means more matches for those taking part in the competition.

They added that the extra £33m received from the Premier League in return for removing first round replays would be returned to the ‘grassroots’.

In an updated statement released this morning, they claimed the EFL had been consulted for “well over a year” through the Professional Game Board (PGB), which consists of four EFL representatives , four of the elite, and the FA board. “The removal of FA Cup replays was discussed in early meetings and all parties accepted that they could not continue,” the FA statement read.

EFL officials became furious at suggestions they were consulted in the decision. Although four EFL executives, including chairman Rick Parry, are part of the PGB which approved the new timetable, they strongly refute any suggestion they were consulted. Instead, inside sources claim the move was presented as a “fait accompli” and revealed Parry had raised strong objections at the meeting but was told he couldn’t do much.

On a day of anger, several clubs made their feelings clear.

Coventry City manager Mark Robins, who will lead his side to Wembley for the Cup semi-final against Manchester United, said it was a “kick in the teeth” for those outside of elite, and for their role in producing players who will go on to represent the best teams “should never be underestimated or forgotten”.

Erik ten Hag, who will face Robins in the opposite dugout, has squarely blamed UEFA and Fifa for the expansion of their fixture schedules.

“It’s very sad for British football culture,” Ten Hag said. “But I think it’s also inevitable. Nobody can do anything about it, it’s because of the overload of the calendar, and it’s dictated by Fifa and UEFA. There is so much overload on players and it needs to stop.

EFL clubs Cambridge United, Wigan Athletic, Newport County, Leyton Orient and Port Vale were among those to issue statements expressing their frustration.

Coventry manager Mark Robins said it was a “kick in the teeth” to those outside the elite.

Leyton Orient chief executive Mark Devlin was also among those calling for the move.

“This appears to have been an agreement reached behind closed doors, without any meaningful consultation with clubs outside the Premier League and against the democratic spirit of the FA Cup itself,” the Cambridge statement read.

Orient chief executive Mark Devlin added: “My personal belief is that this decision was made to accommodate an expanded Champions League fixture list, which now looks very much like a European Super League but under different clothes.”

Wigan, who won the Cup in 2013 three days before being relegated from the Premier League, said they were “appalled” by the decision and that it “shows complete disregard for those outside the elite”.

Each club has called on the FA to review its decision and consult further with lower league clubs.