- FA Cup replays to be scrapped in controversial move from next season
- Prize money will now be recalculated so lower league clubs don’t miss out
- Nottingham Forest have been stripped of their sympathy after three difficult decisions – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
FA Cup prize money will be recalculated as part of plans to ensure lower league clubs are not left out following the controversial move to scrap replays.
Mail Sport understands that, while the overall jackpot will remain the same, the sums awarded to winners and losers in earlier rounds are likely to increase, and the figures for later rounds will be reduced to facilitate the change.
Last week, the FA and Premier League announced that all replays from the first round onwards would be scrapped thanks to schedule pressures due to an expanded Champions League.
The sacrifice sparked a furious reaction, amid accusations from those lower down the pyramid that they would be hit in the pocket.
Officials at the FA, which received £33m from the top flight to be spent on the grassroots, are convinced no-one would be worse off financially.
FA Cup prize money to be recalculated in light of decision to scrap replays
The elimination of replays has been criticized by those who say that the measure suits the big clubs.
They say more early-round games will be televised, presenting greater opportunities to earn more broadcast revenue.
They also praised the fact that all heats will be played on weekends and noted that there will once again be an annual review of prize money.
Currently, first round winners get £41,000, rising to £67,000 in the second round and £105,000 in the third.
In the fourth round, the figure for the winners is £120,000, rising to £225,000, £450,000 and £1 million for the semi-final winners.
The semi-final losers receive £500,000, while the FA Cup winners pocket £2 million and the losing finalists pocket £2 million.
Coventry City took home £500,000 as losing FA Cup semi-finalists on Sunday
Newport County players celebrate scoring a goal in their fourth round tie against Man United
No decision has yet been made on what the changes will look like. Prize money for losers in some of the earlier rounds could well be part of the discussions.
A replay against one of the Premier League’s biggest teams could be worth up to six figures, while a second game against a well-supported Championship team could cost between £250,000 and £500,000, according to EFL club sources.