No replays in Emirates FA Cup fifth round

The fifth round replays in the Emirates FA Cup will be removed from this season’s competition, the FA has announced. According to the report, the move was agreed by the Professional Game Board and has been introduced to alleviate fixture congestion. The qualification of four Premier League teams – Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham for the Champions League knockout stages, along with Arsenal and Chelsea’s progress in the Europa League, has persuaded the Professional Game Board to bring the change forward, in order to reduce fixture congestion. “This season’s fifth round will remain on the weekend of 16/17 February, moving to midweek in 2019/20 – with no replays – as part of the mid-season player break agreed by the FA, Premier League and English Football League in June,” an FA statement read. “Therefore, from this season onward, fifth-round games will be played to a finish on the day, with extra time and penalties if necessary.” In addition, the prize fund for the competition was doubled at the beginning of the season and for this season only, should a fifth-round tie end in a draw after 90 minutes, the prize fund payment for that fixture [£360k] will be split.

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