Premier League and National League ‘in talks over new cup competition’… just days after controversial decision to scrap FA Cup replays
- The controversial decision to scrap FA Cup replays was announced last week
- Discussions have reportedly been held about introducing a new cup competition
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The Premier League and National League are reportedly in talks about setting up a new cup competition.
Last week it was announced that FA Cup first round replays will be scrapped from next season amid concerns over crowds at the matches.
The decision was condemned by a number of EFL clubs and fans, but Mail Sport revealed it was surprisingly backed by the National League.
The reason behind this may now have become clearer, he said The AthleticsThere have been discussions about whether the top 16 teams from the fifth tier will play against 16 Under 21 teams from the Premier League.
It is understood the proposed competition would have four groups of eight teams, four from each division, and the National League teams would play against the Premier League Under 21 teams at home.
The decision to scrap FA Cup replays from the first round was announced last week
It has now been reported that the National League is in talks with the Premier League about setting up a new cup competition
The National League clubs would not play each other and would receive all receipts and half the prize money, with the other half set aside to be divided between the 56 teams not participating in the National League competition, National Liga North and National League South.
If the Premier League gets the green light, the competition will be heavily subsidized.
The groups would be decided on a regional basis, although this is unlikely to be the case once the knockout stages arrive. The final format of the competition has yet to be agreed.
The Athletic report states that the idea for the competition is based on the existing EFL Trophy, which has existed since its inception in 1981.
This consists of 64 clubs, 48 from League One and League Two, along with 16 Under 21 teams from the Premier League and Championship with ‘category one’ academies.
The final is held at Wembley every year, and this could also be the case with the newly proposed cup competition.
There were plans to potentially expand the existing EFL Trophy, inviting all 20 Premier League clubs and hosting more group matches, but this now appears unlikely.
But the new competition could only anger fans more as it kicks off shortly before Christmas in a period that will be freed up by the scrapping of FA Cup replays.
The move to ax replays of the FA Cup has proven extremely controversial, with EFL clubs insisting they had not been consulted by the FA or their own league before the announcement was made.
The proposed new cup competition would be based on the existing EFL Trophy won by Peterborough earlier this month
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters (pictured) spoke about his concerns about the football calendar on Friday, but a new cup competition could now be introduced
Even with their removal, Premier League clubs face more match chaos next season after the proposed fixture list was released earlier this week.
As things stand, there are currently multiple clashes between European and domestic matches following the expansion of the Champions League, while the mid-season break has been lifted.
Premier League CEO Richard Masters expressed his concerns about the football calendar during the press conference of the 48th General Assembly of the European League in London on Friday. He claimed that the fixture list is currently at a ‘tipping point’ and that ‘something has to be done’.
However, if the new cup competition between National League and Premier League Under 21 teams goes ahead, the calendar will only become even busier.