Latest Nottingham Forest news as the FA announces important changes to the FA Cup starting next season.
The Football Association has announced plans to eliminate FA Cup replays beginning next season, a move that Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo may support.
When the Reds were held to a draw by Blackpool in the third round earlier this season, the Portuguese claimed that replays should be banned. The club had to cancel plans to travel to St George’s Park for double training sessions and team bonding over their winter break.
“Everyone is aware that there is a high volume of games and fixtures each day. “It is something they must consider,” Nuno stated at the time.
“If you ask me, I believe it should be completed on the day – extra time, penalties, and all. Allow the players a little extra time to recover. Premier League teams are suffering from it. You’re aware of the concerns with injuries, one of which is the number of fixtures we’re exposed to.”
Forest required extra time to beat the Seasiders in the replay at Bloomfield Road. The following round required a replay, extra time, and penalties against Bristol City, before Nuno’s team was eliminated by Manchester United in the fifth round.
The FA has officially abolished all replays beginning with the first round proper, as part of a new arrangement with the Premier League that will see up to an additional £33 million go to grassroots football from the top tier each season. Replays had previously been eliminated beginning with the fifth round, and the FA stated that the decision to eliminate them entirely was made “in light of changes to the calendar driven by the expanded UEFA competitions”.
Other modifications announced for the competition include all rounds being contested on weekends, with the fifth phase moving to midweek for the previous five seasons. The FA Cup final will now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, on a Saturday when no other top-flight games are scheduled.
The FA stated that under the new structure, the fourth round, fifth round, and quarter-finals will be free of Premier League fixtures for the first time, while the fourth round will be played over a “extended window” from Friday to the following Wednesday. According to the FA, the deal will offer up to £133 million per season in funding to the football pyramid beginning in 2025-26, with a minimum six-year term.
In addition, the Premier League mid-season break has been removed from the calendar, allowing the top division to begin in mid-August 2024-25. According to reports, the prolonged break will provide top-flight clubs a better opportunity of providing players with a three-week rest in succession. The FA stated that the decision was made after consulting with medical experts about the benefits of a longer period of complete rest versus a shorter break in the winter.
FA CEO Mark Bullingham stated, “The Emirates FA Cup is our most valuable asset, generating more than 60% of our revenue to invest in the game, so it is critical to secure a strong format for the future.”
“This new deal between the FA and the Premier League strengthens the Emirates FA Cup and grants this unique tournament exclusive weekends in an increasingly crowded calendar. The new timetable protects and enhances the charm of the Cup while benefiting the entire English game.
“The lengthier summer period also provides a much-needed player break before the start of the following season. We’ve also agreed on new money for grassroots football, disability football, and the women’s and girls’ games. All football begins at the grassroots level, which the Premier League recognises with much-needed financial support.”
The Premier League announced that the mid-season break has been eliminated from the calendar, allowing the Premier League to begin in mid-August. This prolonged summer break enables all Premier League clubs to better ensure that their players receive a consecutive three-week rest over the summer. This takes into account professional advice from medical and technological departments, which prioritizes a longer period of complete relaxation in the summer over a brief respite in the winter.”
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters stated, “The Premier League is proud of the investment it makes in all levels of the game, and this new arrangement with the FA will allow us to increase our support for grassroots football. This will benefit communities and lower league clubs around the country via the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund.
“Throughout our conversations, all sides have been committed to improving the schedule of the Emirates FA Cup, a vital domestic competition with a rich history. The FA and the Premier League have collaborated to give more exclusive weekends without sacrificing the excitement of knockout sport, allowing us to reduce fixture congestion overall.”
Forest are trying to keep their Premier League status for next season. They are one point above the relegation zone with five games left.
