Prince William has been urged to intervene and request the FA to reconsider its decision to scrap FA Cup replays. Amid widespread criticism of the move, stakeholders have approached the Prince of Wales, who has served as President of the FA in a ceremonial capacity since 2006. In a letter addressed to the Prince, the advocacy group “The People’s FA” implored him to challenge the decision.
Former Charlton player and co-chair of the group, Mickey Ambrose, expressed dismay over the FA ‘s announcement to eliminate replays from the first round proper stage starting from the 2024/25 season. He highlighted the profound impact of this decision on football fans across the nation, especially those supporting the 72 English Football League clubs. Ambrose observed that even political figures like Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer united in their opposition to the decision, considering it detrimental to the national game.
Ambrose emphasized the significance of FA Cup replays in allowing local clubs and their communities to cherish historic moments. Moreover, he cited the example of Rochdale fans queuing in adverse weather conditions to attend a replay against Tottenham in 2018. This match generated crucial revenue for the club and bolstered its financial stability. Consequently, the letter urged Prince William to align with the fans and publicly urge the FA Board to reconsider its decision for the benefit of all clubs in the football pyramid.
The decision sparked outrage among managers as well. Firstly, Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder condemned it as yet another instance of the Premier League’s dominance over other leagues. Secondly, Millwall manager Neil Harris echoed this sentiment, labeling the move as “ridiculous” and emphasizing the commercialization of European football to the detriment of its spirit.