Replays of the FA Cup third and fourth rounds could be scrapped this season as clubs look to catch up with games postponed following the Queen’s death.
Replays have been removed in each of the last two seasons, and the PA News Agency understands this is a solution being considered to resolve the backlog of matches.
Last weekend’s Premier League show was canceled as a mark of respect and two more high-profile games, at Chelsea and Manchester United, were canceled next Sunday.
It leaves clubs facing a possible build-up of matches later in the season, exacerbated by the break in the campaign caused by the World Cup in Qatar.
Seven top-flight matches will take place over the weekend, with Brighton v Crystal Palace, the other game already postponed due to planned rail strikes.
“After extensive consultation with the clubs, the police, local security advisory groups and other relevant authorities, there was no option but to postpone all three matches,” a Premier League statement read.
“The Premier League would like to thank the UK Football Police Unit and other police forces across the country, as well as our broadcast partners, for their support during this process, and will continue to be in contact with them before the end of the season. week.
“For matches played during the domestic mourning period, tributes will be paid to the Queen at Premier League stadiums.
“New dates for the postponed matches will be announced in due course.”
Kick-off times for two of Sunday’s games have also been changed, with Brentford-Arsenal now starting at 12 noon instead of 2pm and Everton-West Ham starting at 2.15pm.
Thursday’s Europa League match between Arsenal and PSV has been postponed with police resources in London stretched out in preparation for the Queen’s funeral on Monday 19 September.
But Chelsea’s midweek Champions League game against Red Bull Salzburg will go ahead as planned, and the EFL midweek schedule remains unaffected.
In Scotland, Rangers’ Champions League tie with Napoli has been pushed back a day to Wednesday 14 September due to “serious limitations on police resources and organizational problems”.
However, professional domestic football in the country will resume this weekend, the Scottish Football Association said on Monday. The Football Association of Wales said all its competitions can resume from Tuesday.
All EFL matches scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday will go ahead, with the clubs planning to pay tribute to the Queen.
