The English Football Association has on Thursday announced that there will be no replays in the FA cup come next season.
This was done in a bid to ease the fixture burden on clubs.
Drawn matches in the competition will now go straight into extra time. With the season starting a month later than usual due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be more pressure and fixture congestion on an already compacted calendar.
Also, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition money has been reduced.
“In order to assist in easing the pressure on the football schedule, there will be no replays for the 2020-21 season,” an FA statement released on Thursday said.
“After two seasons of record levels of prize funds, the Emirates FA Cup prize fund has returned back in line with 2017-18 levels due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic”.
Significant changes have also been made by the EFL to the Carabao Cup, which will see the first four rounds compressed into consecutive weeks in September. The fifth round will be held the week before Christmas to avoid clashes with the Champions League and the end of the much-criticised two-legged semi-finals.
Last-four ties will be played on January 5 or 6 with the club drawn first benefiting from home advantage.
Premier League clubs’ will enter the competition in either round two or round three for sides with European football commitments.
