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National League BACKS plans to scrap FA Cup replays and are concerned by football regulator

The National League BACKS plans to scrap FA Cup replays and are also concerned by the introduction of a football regulator.

The National League has communicated with its clubs expressing support for the get rid of FA Cup replays starting from the first round proper in the upcoming season.

However, they have indicated that replays may still be considered for the competition’s qualifying rounds.

Amidst the increasing divisions within the sport, it has been revealed that the National League is aligning with the FA and the Premier League in their decision to remove replays, contrary to the stance taken by the EFL, who strongly opposed the move when it was initially announced.

In a letter addressed to the 24 National League clubs, chief executive Mark Ives is said to have approved the controversial choice to do away with replays from the first-round due to scheduling constraints.

Non league clubs face similar challenges with fixture congestion as those at higher levels of the sport, participating in numerous cup competitions and encountering more postponements due to adverse weather conditions in the winter months.

Furthermore, Ives has reportedly mentioned that the possibility of retaining replays in the qualifying rounds is being considered, with a final decision expected to be made this summer following discussions among the clubs.

There are six rounds of qualifying for the FA Cup starting each August before the first-round proper, when League One and Two clubs enter the competition, begins in November.

Ives’ letter is also believed to confirm that the National League have been aware that replays were being abolished for several weeks.

Meanwhile, The National League also joined the Premier League last night in expressing concerns over the introduction of a football regulator.

The Football Governance Bill will be debated in the House of Commons today as it receives its Second Reading.

National League General Manager Mark Ives said: “We didn’t wake up one morning and think we want a regulator. However, we accept it is here and we have to embrace that. That doesn’t mean we agree with everything that is in there. There are parts we are comfortable with and parts we are not. It is those parts which we ask you to look at.

“We are concerned about the costs. The expectation of how much it is going to cost clubs at a National League level is a huge concern — it may be a small amount of money, but it is a lot to the clubs.

“We are worried about mission creep within the Bill and the additional bureaucracy. There is a lot of duplication of work, such as the licensing system – there’s an expectation for clubs to do two lots of licensing.

“This was all started by the Fan-Led Review and my concern is the expectations outside to the fans are not what they were expecting. So things dear to our heart such as, three-up, three-down with the Football League, protection of players and 3G pitches were all raised within the Fan Led Review but are outside the scope of the regulator. I understand but we talk about financial sustainability – and all of these issues have an impact on financial sustainability of the clubs.

“If we carry on with the Bill as the way it is, it is going to put all of that burden on our clubs instead of actually having an advocacy-first approach. Let the leagues take control of it My desire is for the leagues to do their piece first and if we fail to do our piece then regulate us.

“People are talking about the need for a regulator because of the mess the game is in. The game is not in a mess. All the competitions — the Premier League, the EFL, the National League, The FA — they are obviously all doing something right. So allow the people to deal with it appropriately and if we are not doing it in the right way, then let the regulator step in. Otherwise you will put too much bureaucracy, too much burden on the clubs and it will be damaging to them.

“We urge MPs and Peers for certainty on the Bill. It is written loosely, which allows for mission creep. Think about the impact on our member clubs and don’t put more burden on them.”

Dagenham & Redbridge chief executive Stephen Thompson, who is on the National League board, expressed concerns about the impact the Football Governance Bill could have on “small clubs”.

“We are worried that the Bill will be so onerous,” said he said.

“Some National League clubs work on two or three people and some volunteers, and it worries me that a lot of our clubs, small clubs, are not going to be able to survive with the regulation and reporting required.”

Stephen adds that he’s “worried about the constraint on the Owners’ and Directors’ Test”, as “if the Bill makes it too onerous” to buy clubs, “then people won’t invest in our clubs”.

One of Thompson’s issues was the EFL “blocking” three clubs being relegated from League Two and replaced by three clubs from the National League.

“It should be the format that runs all the way through and that is what has been talked about for several years,” he said.

“This is one of the most important things for National League clubs, yet it sits outside the regulator’s remit.”

West Ham owner David Sullivan said that the Premier League “may cease” to be the world’s top division if an independent regulator is introduced.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters in a joint media release with the National League, said: “We are taking a big risk with a very successful industry and so we’re asking MPs and Peers to look at the Bill very carefully and to look at it with a dispassionate head on and make sure that all of football benefits from it, and we don’t bump into unintended consequences.

“Football is successful because it has had investment, investment from all over the world coming into this country and investing on the pitch for fans to really enjoy. We don’t want that to be choked off, we want for that model to continue.”

He added: “There are lots of great things happening in the game and I would much prefer if the Premier League and EFL could come to an agreement itself.”

 

 

 

Fans and clubs gave their thoughts as the National League BACKS plans to scrap FA Cup replays and are concerned by the introduction of a football regulator…

@ltreidy67: Did they give any consideration to consulting the clubs first?

@Tom_Atkins107: It’s an absolute joke. That organisation has no clue how to look after its clubs

@78ajs: Give it an hour and they will change their minds! 🤣

@GarethDaws65413: The National league has to be the most amateur run football competition in world football. Time for reform…… let’s get some common sense, forward thinking people in charge of these competitions

@a49bullsfan: They might but their member clubs and fans don’t. What game is Ives and his cronies playing? Because it’s a dangerous one.

@carpetbeast: This week has highlighted just how weak the National League is, clearly not thinking about its members.

@andyhelson: @TheVanaramaNL 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

@heyit5sam: The people behind the desks might back it. Clubs & fans don’t back it at all. This isn’t over by a long stretch

@AndyRFCCharman: This is insanity! Why do the member clubs allow these people to get away with this sort of thing? They need to kick them out and get in people who will look after their best interests.

@Pauline04023347: Absolute disgrace. I haven’t heard any fan in the @TheVanaramaNL support the scrapping of the FA Cup replays. Do NL fans have faith in this archaic organisation that releases its fixtures in July – the season starts in August! It’s not fit for purpose and we fans deserve better.

@nonleaguenext: The National League voting against its own members. Surely the leadership has to resign?

@AndrewM21863757: The national league is a committee made up to represent its members, with paid executives to undertake tasks in the best interests. So if every club has come out and condemned the decision to cancel replays yet they release this then something really doesn’t add up.

@mattjarvis11_: Its actually impressive how badly they deal with everything

@charlietabloid: The National League continue to be the worst of all governing bodies to a quite incredible degree.

@MikeyMcMahon: Just when you thought you’d seen it all from them, once again the National League doing National League things… Embarrassing from these jokers, again.

@LRbix: What the fuck have I just read

@GRTourist: In a very, very competitive field, Mark Ives may be the worst football administrator in the game.

@BigShaw1: Having had a bit of exposure to the National League during the COVID years, I can confirm that they are possibly the worst, most self-sabotaging governing body in all of sport

@AgainstLeague3: Utter horseshit. First joint lobbying against the regulator and now this. The Premier League must be prevented from buying off @TheVanaramaNL. Mark Ives should resign.

@smokyblacon1: @TheVanaramaNL you are not fit for purpose

@stevie188: The National League are a joke!! They should be pushing for cup replays and at least 3 up to EFL – yet they can’t even organise the play offs without cocking it up!!

@prentonpete: Can’t say I’m surprised. Time to pull the drawbridge up then lads yeah? 👋

@keredwh: This is an outrageous decision and I doubt the clubs were consulted. I can’t believe any one of them would vote for it. Anyway, this is the National League so expect an about turn within 24 hours.

@davebutter: Many of the members of the league don’t agree so who the hell are they representing?

@sven_safc: This is just nuts. Why are their administrators acting in the interests of a few PL clubs and not their own teams. There has to be some incentive somewhere to do this?

@RD4436: How the @TheVanaramaNL continues to go against its members and mess everything up is laughable. Covid funding, play off places, National League TV and this amongst others.

@Matt_Severn: Worst league administrators in the country. The gift that keeps giving. @Vanarama must be wishing their contract away with them.

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