Premier League pushing heirarchy to scrap FA Cup replays

With continued pressure from Premier League clubs - especially those involved in competitions on various fronts, the FA is reported to be looking at scrapping FA Cup replays.

The speculation comes on the day after The Football Association reduced the cost of FA Cup final and semi-final tickets.

Tickets for the May 21 Wembley showpiece will start at £45, excluding concessions, and semi-final tickets will begin at £30 - a five pound cut across the board.

A statement from the FA read: "Following discussions led by chief executive Martin Glenn, The FA today confirms that ticket prices for the 2016 Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley have been reduced by £5 across all price points.

"In addition, tickets for this year's semi-final matches revert back to 2014 prices.

 "So far, this season's competition has seen attendances close to two million and £13m distributed to clubs across the football pyramid.

"The FA is in a good financial position and lowering the cost of these showpiece matches is in recognition of the strong, continued commitment from fans supporting the world's original cup competition."

It is said the FA and Premier League are broadly in agreement over the issue, as plans to introduce a winter break gather pace.

The moves would certainly be controversial and could face a backlash from fans up and down the country.

The Football League scrapped replays for their own cup competition in 1997 in a sop to Premier League clubs who at that time threatened to pull out of the competition. In addition those clubs in Europe were allowed to enter the League Cup in round 3.

Jb