'It is very sad': Guardiola and Ten Hag react to removal of FA Cup replays – video

The Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, has said the move to scrap replays in the FA Cup next season is "very sad for the British football culture." Replays are to be dropped from the first round onwards and the final moved to the penultimate weekend of the Premier League campaign, as part of a deal agreed between the FA and Premier League. Mark Bullingham, the FA’s chief executive, said the agreement would secure “a strong format for the future” for a trophy that continues to generate the majority of the FA’s income. The Premier League is understood to have argued that change was necessary due to the expansion of European fixtures from next season. For smaller clubs that traditionally stood to benefit from replays, however, this perspective has not been shared.

• Replays fall victim to scramble for cash and chaotic decision-making
  
• ‘An absolute disgrace’: decision to scrap FA Cup replays met with fury
  

Continue reading...

More...