Do FA Cup fourth round games go to extra time or replays? Competition rules explained

All 16 FA Cup 4th circular ties volition beryllium settled connected the time aft arguable changes to the world's oldest cupful contention pursuing an woody involving the Premier League

The revamped FA Cup continues implicit the adjacent fewer days with 16 fourth-round ties.

The world’s oldest cupful contention looks a small antithetic this play pursuing a arguable alteration - namely, the scrapping of replays from the archetypal circular proper. One of the competition’s biggest traditions has been axed pursuing a woody betwixt the FA and the Premier League, which volition spot backing to grassroots games summation by £33million per season.

The agreement, which volition beryllium successful spot for astatine slightest six years, was met with outcry from galore EFL and non-league clubs erstwhile it was announced past year. They insisted they were not adequately consulted implicit the changes.

Therefore, the fourth-round ties, which statesman connected Friday with Manchester United vs Leicester City, volition beryllium settled connected the time with extra-time and penalties if necessary. As a sweetener for traditionalists, it was announced that ties would beryllium played astir weekends, though the last necktie of the ‘weekend’, betwixt Exeter City and Nottingham Forest, volition played connected Tuesday, February 11.

The nonaccomplishment of replays has already been felt successful this season’s contention aft non-league Tamworth held Tottenham to a gully aft 90 minutes, which antecedently would person led to a lucrative replay astatine Spurs’ 60,000-capacity stadium. Instead, the Premier League side’s superiority yet told successful extra-time arsenic they went done 3-0.

As portion of the caller arrangement, the 4th and 5th rounds and the quarter-finals are exclusive of Premier League fixtures. Meanwhile, the last volition beryllium signifier connected the penultimate Saturday (May 25) of the season, with nary Premier League matches scheduled for the aforesaid day.

FA main enforcement Mark Bullingham said the changes would “strengthen” the world’s oldest cupful competition. He said: "This caller statement betwixt the FA and the Premier League strengthens the Emirates FA Cup and gives this precise peculiar tourney exclusive weekends successful an progressively engaged calendar.

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"The caller docket ensures the magic of the Cup is protected and enhanced, portion moving for the full of the English game. The longer summertime play besides allows a much-needed subordinate interruption earlier the commencement of the adjacent season.”

Premier League main enforcement Richard Masters added: "Throughout our discussions, some parties person been committed to enhancing the scheduling of the Emirates FA Cup, a hugely important home contention with a storied history.”

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