EFL chairman calls for fan protest over FA Cup change as she blasts Premier League power

Tranmere Rovers co-chairman Nicola Palios has slammed the Premier League's pulling power after a major shake-up was announced for the FA Cup on Thursday afternoon

Will Schofield Senior Sports Reporter

18:38, 18 Apr 2024

A general view of the Emirates FA Cup trophy prior to The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on May 14, 2022 in London, England.

The FA Cup will be changed next season(Image: The FA via Getty Images)

EFL club co-chairman Nicola Palios has slammed the Premier League's pulling power after changes were made to the FA Cup.

The FA announced on Thursday that replays will be scrapped from the first round onwards in the 2024/25 competition. The changes have been made as part of a new six-year agreement between the FA and the Premier League.

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FA Cup replays this season stopped after the fifth round - and the FA says the move to eliminate them from an earlier stage has been made "in light of changes to the calendar driven by the expanded Uefa competitions".

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Palios, who is married to her Tranmere Rovers co-chairman Mark Palios, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: "729 teams compete in the @TheFACup.

"Why is its format being dictated by the @premierleague who represent circa 3% of them? Why were @EFL clubs not given a say? Why is the EPL even dictating whether replays are allowed in rounds they don’t participate in? Protest is needed! #FACup."

What do you think of the changes to the FA Cup? Let us know in the comments section

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Nicola Palios is the co-chairman of Tranmere Rovers(Image: Liverpool Echo/James Maloney)

EFL chief executive Trevor Birch has also slammed the decision, branding it as "frustrating and disappointing" and that the EFL will be "seeking appropriate compensation arrangements".

He added: "This represents another lost traditional revenue stream for EFL clubs at a time when the financial gap between the biggest clubs and those further down the pyramid is growing bigger than ever."

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Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder fumed: "As always, the game is dictated and dominated by the big boys and the big boys don't want FA Cup replays, do they? I am a traditionalist.

A general view (GV) of the FA Cup trophy before the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Accrington Stanley and Leeds United at Wham Stadium on January 28, 2023 in Accrington, England

The EFL will be asking the FA for compensation(Image: Offside via Getty Images)

The new agreement, however, will see the Premier League increase its funding to grassroots football, with an additional £33m being provided. "The FA Cup is our biggest asset," said FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.

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"This new agreement between the FA and the Premier League strengthens the FA Cup and gives this very special tournament exclusive weekends in an increasingly busy calendar."