The English Football Association has announced that there will be no replays in the FA Cup next season, as well as Carabao Cup semi-final two-legged matches being replaced by single ties.
With the corona virus pandemic having led to a congested schedule for the 2020/2021 season and which is certain to be compounded by the re-arranged European Championships next summer, the FA has moved to ease pressure on clubs ahead of the new season.
In an official statement released on Thursday, the FA announced the decision had been made “to assist in easing pressure on the football schedule and to ensure that domestic competitions can still be delivered”.
This simply means drawn matches in the cup competition will go straight to extra time.
The competition qualifying rounds will begin on September 1 while the premier league clubs will enter in the third round and the final due to be played at Wembley on May 15, 2021.
Arsenal will start out as the defending champions, having beaten cross-city rivals Chelsea 2-1 in the just concluded season’s final.
The FA also announced the usual two-legged semi finals has been scrapped in the Carabao Cup, with one-off knockout matches determining which teams will reach the final.
The first round of the Cup will be played on September 5, with the final slated for February 28. The sides drawn first in the ties will host the match
Manchester City have won the last three finals with their most recent victory coming in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa in March.
