Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder joins EFL chiefs in blasting decision to scrap FA Cup replays as he says small clubs can 'make enough money to survive for five years' off one game

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has joined the EFL in blasting 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 dispense with replays from the first round onwards, denying clubs down the pyramid the possibility of money-spinning ties.

The EFL said the decision to dispense with replays is 'frustrating and disappointing', while some club chiefs have called for a backlash.

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

'Being a traditionalist, what does that do to non-league clubs that get into the fairytale round of round three and get a draw at home and the financial implications that gives them?

'There have been clubs that have had FA Cup runs and replays that have financially benefitted themselves for the next three, four, five years.

'As you well know, my pathway and my history, I've been at both ends of the scale but for me, it's a great reward for the lower league clubs in earning that replay to allow them to either go to the bigger clubs or have that game at home.

'I am a traditionalist and I would have liked to have seen it kept the same but the game is moving on with more minutes in a game and extra games that people are trying to push back against.'

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

'The EFL notes today's joint announcement from the FA and Premier League regarding the removal of FA Cup replays and wider calendar changes,' he said.

'Whilst the League had previously been involved in discussions over the future of the calendar, these were predicated on the agreement of a new financial deal with the Premier League for EFL Clubs which has not progressed.

'This is frustrating and disappointing given the calendar is a shared asset across football and as we have consistently said a whole game approach is required to find solutions to complex fixture scheduling 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 financial gap between the biggest clubs and those further down then pyramid is growing bigger than ever.

'We will now be discussing the implications for EFL clubs and seeking appropriate compensation arrangements.'

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

All FA Cup rounds will be played at the weekend once again - with no Premier League games scheduled alongside them. The fifth round has been played in midweek for the past five seasons.

The final will be scheduled for the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season but with no top-flight games on the fixture list on that particular Saturday.

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

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 consigned to history from the first round proper onwards in light of calendar changes forced by UEFA's expanded competitions from next season.

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

UEFA is expanding their group stages in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League from 32 to 36 teams and introducing a 'Swiss Model' format from next season. 

The 36 clubs will participate in a single league competitions and play eight matches instead of the current six with their opponents decided based on seedings.

The decision to get rid of FA Cup replays led to a fierce backlash from owners of clubs who could never dream of playing in Europe. 

Andy Holt, the chairman of League Two Accrington Stanley, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): 'Why would the hapless @FA scrap early round replays that can be lucrative to minnows? A chance to change their financial fortunes? Against @EFL Clubs?

'I expect nothing less of [Richard] Masters and Co @premierleague buying the game into a format that suits their needs. As usual.'

When asked if Football League clubs had been consulted about the changes, Holt replied: 'This bit of the EFL definitely wasn't. When deals are done under a cloak of secrecy they are generally wrong.'

He added: 'The @EFL are 72 clubs, nothing else. Nobody at our club including someone actively involved with the @FA knew anything about this. 

'We should be actively supporting minnows not taking opportunity away. I'd also support them choosing to play away if it earned them more income.'

He said that Thursday's news came 'Out of the blue.' 

Nicola Palios, the vice chairman of League Two Tranmere Rovers, wrote on X: '729 teams compete in the @TheFACup. Why is its format being dictated by the @premierleague who represent c.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.'

Niall Couper, the chief executive of the Fair Game football reform group, described the move as 'short-sighted' and as 'another nail in the coffin for the already crumbling football pyramid'. 

The Professional Footballers' Association said the move highlighted the knock-on impact to domestic football of changes agreed at the international level. 

'What football needs is a collective approach to a properly thought-out global fixture calendar – not a fight for available dates,' PFA chief executive Maheta Molango said.

'(The agreement) shows how decisions that are made at an international level have a knock-on impact which affects clubs, and players, throughout the pyramid.

'The current unsustainable approach to the calendar needs to be seen as an issue for every club at every level if we want to continue to protect our domestic competitions.'