FA Cup third and fourth round replays could be scrapped this season in an attempt to clear up a fixture backlog in the English football calendar.
The sad death of Queen Elizabeth II has led to more
congestion in the schedule, with the most recent weekend of Premier League fixtures postponed as a mark of respect, and
three more games delayed this coming week.
Cup replays have been ditched in each of the past two seasons as a solution to fixture backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which saw a condensed schedule and many postponements.
The current campaign will be no different with the 2022 World Cup taking part mid-season in November and December, leaving little to no room for the delayed games this year.
Postponed matches will instead likely take place following the World Cup in 2023, and it being reported that scrapping FA Cup replays is one likely solution to free up space in the calendar.
With the Queen’s funeral taking place on Monday 19, a lack of police resources have led to the postponement of
Chelsea v Liverpool, as well as Manchester United v Leeds.
Brighton v Crystal Palace had already been put back due to planned rail strikes and the Premier League have since released a statement on the three games.
The league said in a statement: “Following extensive consultation with clubs, police, local Safety Advisory Groups and other relevant authorities, there was no other option but to postpone the three fixtures.
“The Premier League would like to thank the UK Football Policing Unit and other police forces across the country, as well as our broadcast partners, for their support during this process, and will continue to liaise with them ahead of the weekend.
“For the matches being played during the period of national mourning, tributes will be paid to the Queen at Premier League stadiums.
“New dates for the postponed matches will be announced in due course.”
Elsewhere,
Arsenal’s home Europa League clash with PSV Eindhoven has been postponed, but Chelsea v Leipzig will take place with London planning for the funeral.
Tweaks have been made to the Gunners kick-off time against Brentford on Sunday, and Rangers’ Champions League match with Napoli has been moved from Tuesday to Wednesday.
All EFL fixtures will go ahead as planned, as well as all professional football in the UK, including the Scottish Premiership.