It’s what the FA Cup is all about, the games getting bigger as clubs go into each round and although we are only allowed one replay these days before ending it with a penalty shoot out it is still one of the most exciting cup competitions in world football.
Unfortunately some people don’t understand the tradition so stand up England coach Sven Goran Eriksson, you know the one, he who puts you to sleep with his dull football every time England play.
Incredibly, between his women and job interviews at Chelsea, he has tried to get next season’s final moved to a midweek date to help his England side be better prepared for the World Cup and there was even a suggestion of scrapping replays in the latter rounds.
Thankfully the FA have today thrown out any chance of a midweek final and it will be played on Saturday 13th May 2006 and will bring the curtain down on domestic football, other than the Football League play offs.
Well done FA – well not quite, because they have turned next season’s competition into a farce with its decision on replays.
The replays will be as normal except any ties in the 5th and 6th rounds involving a side in the UEFA Cup will be decided in the first match and any ties in the 6th round involving a side in the Champions League will be decided in the first match.
That means some drawn ties will replay and some will not – it would be laughable if it wasn’t serious.
Apparently this is to help
Take a look at our four clubs in the Champions League this season, it will be similar next season, and take a look at the players involved. Some will be English but for some of these teams there will be more players involved with
The Football Association have now just about screwed up their own competition but its hardly surprising given the organisation’s recent record.
They should have gone and asked the supporters of clubs such as
Then again, Manchester United might pull out again to go on some jolly.