EFL take aim at FA and Premier League for FA Cup decision in 'marginalised' claim

The decision to scrap FA Cup replays is further evidence of the EFL and its clubs being "marginalised", the league has said.

The Football Association announced on Thursday that it had reached an agreement with the Premier League on the future format and funding of the competition, which would include all replays from the first round being abolished.

A number of EFL clubs have criticised the changes and insisted they were not consulted, with the FA releasing a statement on Friday saying it understood those concerns and would share details with them about how any shortfall in lost replay revenue may be made up.

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However, the EFL said this was just the most recent example of how the league and its clubs were being sidelined, with Premier League clubs having also decided to halt discussions over a new financial settlement with the Football League.

In a statement, they said: "The EFL wishes to clarify further its position in respect of yesterday’s Premier League and Football Association bi-lateral announcement over the removal of FA Cup replays and the role of the League’s representatives on the Professional Game Board (PGB).

"The agreement which now sees the abolition of replays from the competition format was agreed solely between the Premier League and FA. Ahead of the deal being announced there was no agreement with the EFL nor was there any formal consultation with EFL Clubs as members of the FA and participants in the competition.

"In September 2023, the EFL did initially discuss with Clubs potential changes to the FA Cup format but only as part of a wider and more fundamental change to financial distributions. As is now