MX23RW : Wednesday, November 27 11:33:45| >> :600:135386579:135386579:

FA Cup replays abolished and new-look EFL Cup schedule for 2020-21 campaign

Fixtures will be released next Friday.

FA Cup replays have been abolished for the forthcoming season and prize money reduced to 2017-18 levels as a result of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

With a shortened season starting a month later than usual there is more pressure on an already compacted calendar and the Football Association has taken the decision that all ties in the cup competition will be decided on the day.

Participating clubs, however, will be financially affected.

"In order to assist in easing pressure on the football schedule, there will be no replays for the 2020-21 season," said an FA statement.

"After two seasons of record levels of prize funds, the Emirates FA Cup prize fund has returned back in line with 2017-18 levels due to the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic."

Significant changes have also been made by the EFL to the Carabao Cup, which will see the first four rounds compressed into consecutive weeks in September, the fifth round held the week before Christmas to avoid clashes with the Champions League and the end of much-criticised two-legged semi-finals.

Last-four ties will be played on January 5 or 6 with the club drawn first benefiting from home advantage.

Premier League clubs' will enter the competition in either round two or round three for sides with European football commitments.

Fixtures for the new EFL season, which is set to be even busier than usual, will be released next Friday, September 21.

"Due to the unprecedented challenges facing the fixture calendar as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and starting six weeks later than usual, the Sky Bet EFL Championship will feature 13 midweek match rounds whilst League One and League Two will have 11 respectively throughout season 2020-21," said an EFL statement.

Of next season's Premier League sides only Tottenham, Everton, Sheffield United and Burnley are not taking part in the EFL Trophy, although relegated Norwich are.

ID:410150: cacheID:410150:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4248:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
John Stones in action for Man City on January 4, 2020
Read Next:
John Stones: Manchester City "humble" in quest to win more silverware
>
Read more about EFL Cup FA Cup Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!