Bristol Rovers "extremely disappointed" by FA Cup changes
The club is one of many from the lower leagues to express dismay
Bristol Rovers Football Club says it is "extremely disappointed" that the Football Association (FA) has decided to scrap all FA Cup replays from the 2024/25 season.
The governing body of the sport in England announced the decision on Thursday (18th April) saying it had been reached in collaboration with the top tier, the Premier League.
The reasoning was given as "changes to the calendar" driven by expanding European competitions run by UEFA.
However, the decision is receiving a strong backlash from clubs in the lower leagues, now including League One side Rovers.
"Replays have long formed a traditional and exciting aspect of the FA Cup, the longest-serving cup competition in world football, and provide the greatest opportunity for many EFL clubs to create treasured memories for supporters," a statement from the club reads.
"Bristol Rovers’ own FA Cup third-round replay at The Memorial Stadium, against Sky Bet Championship side Norwich City, attracted an attendance of over 10,000 fans for a midweek evening fixture in January and provided a valuable and important income for the Club.
"We are frustrated and dismayed at the lack of consultation regarding the matter, which has seemingly been the case across the EFL, and stand firm in our belief that such fundamental changes to a competition involving Bristol Rovers should not be made without at the very least including the Club in the discussion."
Very similar statements have also been released by many other clubs in the English Football League including but not limited to Peterborough United, AFC Wimbledon and Wigan Athletic.
Executive chair of League Two side Tranmere Rovers has been quoted as saying the way the decision has been reached is an "absolute disgrace".
The backlash has been so strong that the FA released a new statement earlier saying they have listened to concerns.
"We have been discussing the calendar for the 2024-25 season with the Premier League and EFL for well over a year," the FA's latest statement reads.
"Removing Emirates FA Cup replays was discussed in the early meetings and all parties accepted that they could not continue.
"The discussions then focused on how to make all of our competitions stronger, despite having fewer dates available and wanting to maintain player welfare.
"The changes to the Emirates FA Cup achieve this by returning it to a weekend competition on every round, and ensuring that we have exclusive broadcast slots in an increasingly congested calendar."
Such is the level of their anger, Rovers are requesting the changes be suspended until a "full and transparent consultation process" is carried out with all shareholders.
The FA says it will be sharing more details with clubs in due course.
If you want to read more about the changes to the FA Cup, you can do so via this link.