It would be a huge decision to make such a drastic change to the world’s most famous domestic cup competition, but one that is perhaps a necessity.
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The ideas were discussed in the context of helping English clubs improve their performances in Europe but also overlap with a belief at the Football Association that the time has come to debate fixture congestion in a rounded way, with the aim of helping the national team.
Among the proposals being considered are the abolition of FA Cup replays, reducing the League Cup semi-finals to just one game and – most strikingly – scheduling FA Cup games to be midweek only. Any tinkering with the format would be a long-term consideration, with changes impossible to implement until the TV deal ends in 2018.
“In Germany, when you tell people about the FA Cup that if you draw you play again”.
It has been a quarter of a century since Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur won the Cup but Mauricio Pochettino’s men will be eager to continue their high-flying league form when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
No Giggs, no Radford, no 4-4 Merseyside derby.
Due to the League Cup format, English clubs play more matches in a season that their European counterparts, a situation that has alarmed some Premier League sides as they bid to make an impact in the Champions League.
“So far, this season’s competition has seen attendances close to two million and £13m distributed to clubs across the football pyramid”.
“The strength is there, especially when all the Champions League teams drop in”.
It is said the FA and Premier League are broadly in agreement over the issue, as plans to introduce a winter break gather pace.
“In addition, tickets for this year’s semi-final matches revert back to 2014 prices”.
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Manchester City, meanwhile, are “furious” their Champions League prospects have been harmed by having to face Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday, three days before they face Dynamo Kiev.
