Replays
for FA Cup quarter-final matches will not be used from next season, the
Football Association has revealed.
In a move approved by the FA board on Thursday, the last-eight stage of the
cup competition will revert to a sudden-death format over one weekend in a
bid to ease English football's congested fixture list.
FA chief executive Martin Glenn said: "The Emirates FA Cup remains at the
heart of English football and this change adds to the excitement of the
competition and will benefit the wider game in general.
"With great attendances and TV figures, this season has confirmed the cup's
special status - underlined by great stories culminating in Manchester
United's triumph at Wembley last Saturday.
"In a demanding calendar and with increased pressures on fans, it is
important we move with the times and consider new innovations such as last
week's successful non-league finals day which saw 50,000 fans at Wembley for
the Vase and Trophy."
Glenn added on the FA website: "While fully respecting tradition and
history, this new development will help the cup retain its status as a
much-loved and world-renowned competition."
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