Yahoo News Tranmere Rovers unite the football world with strong statement against 'disgraceful' FA Cup ruling
Tranmere Rovers have described the decision from the Football Association and the Premier League to change the format of the FA Cup as "disgraceful".
On Thursday, the Football Association alongside the English top-flight announced the decision to overhaul the format of the illustrious competition - including the scrapping of replays from the first round proper.
The decision has been met with backlash from football fans across the country, despite the negotiations between the FA and the Premier League agreeing to a new settlement which will see increased funding to the football pyramid and grassroots by £33million a season.
READ MORE: Liverpool and Everton learn new FA Cup format as £33m deal agreed and new final date confirmed
Rovers became one of the first clubs to speak out against the decision from the respective governing bodies, slamming the decision with a club statement. The statement read: "Tranmere Rovers condemn the disgraceful decision taken by The FA and the Premier League to change the format of the FA Cup, including the scrapping of replays.
"There was no consultation with Football League clubs, National League clubs or grassroots clubs to whom the competition represents not only their best opportunity to create life-long memories for supporters but also a hugely important source of income. We also understand that FA Council members were not consulted about the changes.
"The decision, and the way it was taken, demonstrate a total lack of respect for the football pyramid and its fans. Football belongs to all of us and decisions should not be taken in back room deals in which only the very wealthiest clubs are allowed to participate. It is yet another eloquent example of the 19th-century governance that means that football simply cannot regulate itself and needs the Independent Football Regulator to have real teeth.
"We condemn the changes wholeheartedly and urge The FA to suspend them immediately until all stakeholders in the game are properly consulted."
Supporters across the football world responded on social media to agree with the club's statement, with many asking their own clubs to follow suit. Tranmere's post on X (formerly Twitter) wracked up thousands of likes, reposts and comments within an hour of it being published.
Tranmere have had two famous runs in the FA Cup in recent years. During the 2018-19 season, where they were eliminated in the third round by Tottenham Hotspur, they required replays to beat Oxford City and Southport.
Manchester United visited Prenton Park a year later with Tranmere beating Wycombe Wanderers and then-Premier League outfit Watford, in replays during the earlier rounds.
