FA Cup third-round replays SCRAPPED to ease fixture logjam due to Covid with games going straight to extra-time and pens

FA CUP third and fourth-round replays have been SCRAPPED to ease the fixture logjam created by Covid.

The FA confirmed their decision on the same day Premier League clubs decided to push on and play through the festive period.

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Replays in the third and fourth rounds of this season’s FA Cup have been scrapped[/caption]

Numerous teams have seen matches postponed due to coronavirus outbreaks in their squad.

But these games will need to be played at some stage down the line.

And the FA have decided that third and fourth-round Cup ties will go straight to extra-time and penalties to help open up slots for rearranged matches.

A statement confirmed: “The FA can confirm that replays have been removed in both the Third and Fourth Rounds of the 2021/22 Emirates FA Cup.

“This exceptional decision was approved by The FA Board on Friday 17 December 2021 and has been taken in the wider interest of English football to alleviate the possibility of fixture congestion following several postponements in recent days and continued uncertainty ahead due to COVID-19.

“Ties in the Third and Fourth Rounds of this season’s competition will be played to a finish on the day, with extra-time and penalties if required.

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“Replays will return up to and including the Fourth Round of the Emirates FA Cup from the 2022/23 season onwards.”

The news is sure to relieve clubs who had been pushing for fixture postponements in the Premier League.

During today’s crunch meeting, Liverpool proposed moving an entire round of fixtures after losing several key men including Virgil van Dijk.

But despite support from other club,s the idea was rejected due to the complexity involved.

There was also debate about postponing the season completely, but this idea had no support from any of the Prem clubs due to the financial implications.

And the majority of the clubs decided to continue playing over the festive period despite the recent spike in cases.

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