Middlesbrough set clear FA Cup-replay stance after controversy around scrapping them

Middlesbrough have made clear their disappointment in the decision to scrap FA Cup replays - drawing particular attention the EFL's claim that there was no consultation with them over the decision.

On Thursday, the FA announced that FA Cup replays will be scrapped from next season from the competition after reaching an agreement with the Premier League which also secured an extra £33 million in funding for grassroots football. There has been considerable backlash to the decision.

Replays have provided bonus revenue for lower league clubs for many years as well as creating special memories for supporters. But with increasing scheduling demands for bigger clubs in the wake of expanding European competitions from next season, the Premier League were keen to have replays scrapped.

READ MORE: FA Cup scheduling changes announced that will impact Middlesbrough next season onwards

Releasing a statement on it, the EFL said: "The agreement which now sees the abolition of replays from the competition format was agreed solely between the Premier League and FA. Ahead of the deal being announced there was no agreement with the EFL nor was there any formal consultation with EFL Clubs as members of the FA and participants in the competition.

"In September 2023, the EFL did initially discuss with Clubs potential changes to the FA Cup format but only as part of a wider and more fundamental change to financial distributions. As is now clear, there has been no movement in this area since September.

"This latest agreement between the Premier League and FA, in the absence of financial reform, is just a further example of how the EFL and its Clubs are being marginalised in favour of others further up the pyramid and that only serves to threaten the future of the English game.

"The EFL today calls on both the Premier League and the FA, as the Governing body, to re-evaluate their approach to their footballing partnership with the EFL and engage more collaboratively on issues directly affecting our Clubs."

Publishing the statement on the club website, Boro pushed it on its social media accounts, writing: "As a club we are disappointed with the bi-lateral decision and the lack of consultation."

Going further, having been asked in his pre-Leeds United press conference on Friday afternoon, Boro boss Michael Carrick said: “From a club’s point of view, we’re disappointed with the decision that’s been imposed on us. It’s been taken out of our hands, so it is what it is.

"It’s a shame because there are a lot of good experiences that can come from replays. It gives a lot of clubs a massive opportunity to create special nights and memories and that now won’t be the case. The nature of football, it always moves and adapts and changes over time, but either way, from the club’s point of view, we’re disappointed."

Amid the backlash since Thursday's announcement, which includes a statement from Downing Street demanding further explanation, the FA released a further statement on Friday afternoon assuring further details would follow.

It read: "We have listened to the concerns expressed over the last 24 hours, and would like to outline the approval process which was undertaken for the 2024-25 professional game football calendar. To clarify, we have also increased the number of Emirates FA Cup matches that will be broadcast in the early rounds, which will lead to additional guaranteed broadcast revenue for EFL and National League teams.

"Additionally, we review the prize money annually for the competition, together with representatives from the EFL and PL and will do the same for the 2024-25 season. We understand the concerns expressed over the last 24 hours, and we will be sharing more details with clubs very shortly to explain the additional revenue opportunities in the early rounds. We will keep this under review as the new calendar begins to ensure that EFL and National League clubs do not lose out."