Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder joins EFL bosses in explosive decision to scrap FA Cup replays, saying small clubs can ‘make enough money to survive for five years’ with only one match.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has joined the EFL in speaking out against the decision to scrap FA Cup replays as part of a shake-up of the football calendar.

The Football Association and Premier League have decided to forgo replays from the first round, depriving clubs at the bottom of the pyramid the opportunity to form lucrative ties.

The EFL said the decision to forgo replays is “frustrating and disappointing”, while some club bosses have called for a backlash.

Blades boss Wilder said: “As always the game is dictated and dominated by the big guys and the big guys don’t want FA Cup replays do they?

“As a traditionalist, what does it do to non-league clubs who go into the fairytale round of the third round and get a draw at home and the financial implications that gives them?

A major change to the FA Cup will see all replays from the first round removed, but rounds played on a weekend without Premier League matches will be removed.

Manchester City are FA Cup holders after beating Manchester United 2-1 last June

“There have been clubs who have hosted FA Cup runs and replays and benefited financially over the next three, four, five years.

“As you well know, my background and my history, I have been at both ends of the scale, but for me it is a great reward for the lower league clubs to win this replay to allow them to go to the biggest clubs or have this game at home.

“I’m a traditionalist and I wish it stayed the same, but the game moves forward with more minutes of play and extra matchups that people are trying to push back against.”

EFL chief executive Trevor Birch said they will seek compensation from the FA and Premier League for lost revenue from replayed matches, which can be a lifeline for their clubs.

“The EFL notes today’s joint announcement by the FA and Premier League regarding the removal of FA Cup replays and wider changes to the schedule,” it said.

“While the League had previously been involved in discussions over the future of the calendar, these were based on agreeing a new financial deal with the Premier League for EFL clubs, which did not progressed.

“It is frustrating and disappointing given that the calendar is a common asset across football and, as we have always said, a holistic approach to the game is required to find solutions to complex match planning challenges .

“Our domestic calendar has been put under extreme pressure by the expansion of UEFA competitions and, ultimately, this represents another lost traditional revenue stream for EFL clubs at a time when the gap financial gap between the biggest clubs and those lower in the pyramid is widening than ever.

The FA Cup final will take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season.

“We will now discuss the implications for EFL clubs and seek appropriate compensation arrangements.”

The changes come as UEFA prepares to expand the group stage of its three competitions from next season, reducing the number of midweek slots available.

All FA Cup rounds will be played again this weekend – with no Premier League matches scheduled alongside them. The fifth round has been played midweek for the past five seasons.

The final will be scheduled for the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, but with no high-profile match scheduled for that Saturday.

The mid-season break is also to be removed from the calendar to allow for a mid-August Premier League start date.

The new agreement between the FA and the Premier League will last for at least six years.

As Mail Sport revealed last month, replays will be relegated to history from the first round in light of calendar changes imposed by the expansion of UEFA competitions from next season.

There are currently no replays from the fifth round of the competition.

UEFA is expanding its Champions League, Europa League and Conference League group stages from 32 to 36 teams and introducing a “Swiss model” format from next season.

Andy Holt, chairman of League Two Accrington Stanley, said the news came “out of the blue”.

Holt posted on X (formerly Twitter) about his surprise and anger at Thursday’s unexpected news

The 36 clubs will compete in a single league competition and play eight matches instead of the current six, with their opponents determined based on rankings.

The decision to get rid of FA Cup replays has sparked a backlash from club owners who could never have dreamed of playing in Europe.

Andy Holt, chairman of League Two Accrington Stanley, wrote on A chance to change their financial fortunes? Against @EFL clubs?

“I would expect nothing less from (Richard) Masters and Co @premierleague buying the game in a format that suits their needs. As per usual.’

Asked if Football League clubs had been consulted about the changes, Holt said: “This part of the EFL certainly wasn’t. When deals are made under the cloak of secrecy, they are usually wrong.

Tranmere’s Nicola Palios, right, suggested a ‘protest’ may be needed against the new deal

She questioned why the Premier League made changes during the cup rounds that did not affect them.

He added: “The @EFL is 72 clubs, nothing else. No one at our club, including anyone actively involved in the @FA, knew anything about it.

“We should actively support minnows without costing them opportunities.” I would also support them choosing to play away if it brought them more revenue.

He said Thursday’s news came “out of the blue.”

Nicola Palios, vice-chairman of League Two Tranmere Rovers, wrote on X: “729 teams are taking part in the @TheFACup. Why is its format dictated by the @premierleague which represents around 3% of them?

“Why didn’t @EFL clubs have their say? Why does the EPL even dictate whether replays are allowed in rounds they don’t participate in? We must protest! #FACoupe.’

Niall Couper, chief executive of football reform group Fair Game, described the move as “myopic” and “another nail in the coffin of the already crumbling football pyramid”.

The Professional Footballers’ Association said the move highlighted the impact of internationally agreed changes on domestic football.

“What football needs is a collective approach to a well-thought-out global match calendar, not a fight over available dates,” said Maheta Molango, chief executive of the PFA.

“(The agreement) shows how decisions made at international level have an impact that affects clubs and players throughout the pyramid.”

“The current unsustainable approach to the calendar must be seen as a problem for every club, at every level, if we are to continue to protect our domestic competitions.”