Newcastle United impacted by new rule changes as FA Cup replays also scrapped
Newcastle United and their rivals will see a series of changes brought in as part of a six-year agreement between the FA and the Premier League.
FA Cup replays have now been scrapped from the first round onwards meaning that all ties will be decided at the first time of asking in a significant change. That controversial move will almost certainly hit the lower league and non-league clubs should they hold one of the big guns after 90 minutes as the potential for a money spinning replay on a Premier League ground has been ripped away.
The FA said that under the new format, the fourth round, fifth round and quarter-finals would all be exclusive of Premier League fixtures for the first time, while the fourth round will be played across an "extended window" from Friday to the following Wednesday. The FA said the deal will provide up to £133m per season in funding to the football pyramid from 2025-26.
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All FA Cup ties will now be played on weekends meaning the midweek slot used for the fifth round, which saw Newcastle defeat Blackburn on penalties on a nervous night at Ewood Park, has also been scrapped. The Premier League has also removed its mid-season break from the calendar.
The FA Cup final will also be played on the penultimate weekend of the season for the next six years with no Premier League games to distract the showpiece at Wembley. Although, that means there will be a huge gap between the penultimate top flight fixtures and the final day of the season.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: "The FA Cup is our biggest asset. 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."