(Reuters) -FA Cup replays will be scrapped from the first round next season as part of a six-year agreement with the Premier League to strengthen the domestic competition, the Football Association (FA) announced on Thursday.

The FA added that all FA Cup rounds will be played on weekends from next term, with the fourth and fifth rounds, plus quarter-finals, to be held exclusive of Premier League matches.

“The current format, which has no replays from the fifth round onwards, has been extended throughout the ‘Competition Proper’ in light of changes to the calendar driven by the expanded UEFA competitions,” the FA said.

“The FA Cup final will now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, on an exclusive Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day.”

The mid-season break was also removed from the calendar, in order to allow the Premier League to start in mid-August and provide a longer close-season break.

STRONGER CUP

The gradual removal of replays from the later FA Cup rounds was criticised, with some commentators saying it is another erosion of the importance of the world’s oldest domestic club competition.

In the past, smaller clubs drawn at home to top-tier opposition in the FA Cup have enjoyed financial windfalls from securing replays.

“Scrapping FA Cup replays from the first round proper deprives lower league clubs of a much-needed source of revenue,” Fair Game CEO Niall Couper said.

“This is a short-sighted move that does nothing to strengthen the game. It is another nail in the coffin for the already crumbling football pyramid.”

Mark Bullingham, CEO of England’s FA, said the new agreement between the FA and the Premier League strengthened the FA Cup and gave “this very special tournament exclusive weekends in an increasingly busy calendar.”

“The new schedule ensures the magic of the cup is protected and enhanced, while working for the whole of the English game,” he added.

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However, English Football League (EFL) chief executive Trevor Birch described the announcement as “frustrating and disappointing”.

“This is another traditional revenue stream lost for EFL clubs at a time when the financial gap between the biggest clubs and those further down the pyramid is widening,” he said.

League Two club Tranmere Rovers said in a statement that they “condemn the disgraceful” changes.

It said there had been no consultation with Football League clubs, National League clubs or grassroots clubs for whom the competition was a “hugely important source of income”.

League Two side Grimsby Town joined the call for a pause in changes pending consultation, while the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) said it recognised the strain the fixture list places on top-flight clubs, but feared the decision would “diminish the magic of the competition”.

As part of the agreement, the Premier League will increase the funding it provides to the English football pyramid, giving an additional 33 million pounds ($41.15 million) towards developing the grassroots game.

“Our domestic calendar has been put under extreme pressure by the expansion of UEFA competitions and ultimately this represents another lost traditional revenue stream for EFL clubs at a time when the financial gap between the biggest clubs and those further down the pyramid is growing bigger than ever,” EFL Chief Executive Trevor Birch said.

“We will now be discussing the implications for EFL clubs and seeking appropriate compensation agreements.”

The Premier League already provides 100 million pounds in funding to teams in lower leagues.

“This (investment) will improve facilities for communities and lower league clubs across the country, through the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund,” Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said.

This season’s FA Cup semi-finals will take place on the weekend, with holders Manchester City facing Chelsea on Saturday and Coventry City taking on Manchester United on Sunday.

($1 = 0.8019 pounds)

(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru and Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Ken Ferris, Toby Davis and Sonali Paul)

Source: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/soccer-fa-cup-replays-scrapped-105543594.html

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By Daniel Matthews

Published: 23:35 BST, 18 April 2024 | Updated: 23:37 BST, 18 April 2024

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Travis and Jason Kelce have hinted that they could head on a road trip to Wrexham after being offered a tour by the soccer club’s co-owner Rob McElhenney. 

Jason was left red faced this week after discussing Travis’ new teammate Louis Rees-Zammit on their podcast New Heights. 

The former rugby star has joined the Chiefs and Jason revealed what a ‘stereotypical’ Welshman is like in his mind.

‘When I think of Welsh, I think British people call it “posh” – I think of these rich, upper class, just beautiful white people. He is the running stereotype of what I would think of with a Welsh person,’ Jason said.

His comments went viral and the recently-retired Philadelphia Eagles center was forced to backtrack. 

Jason Kelce said on New Heights this week that he thinks of Welsh people as being ‘posh’

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney offered to give the Kelce brothers a tour of Wales

Wrexham was recently promoted to League One – the third tier of soccer in the UK

‘I’ve come to understand, I was very incorrect on this,’ the elder Kelce said. ‘I’m not sure why I had these preconceptions in my mind, but I have found that the Welsh seem exactly like my kind of people. Happy to be incredibly wrong.’

That admission prompted TV star McElhenney to offer the brothers a true taste of Welsh life. 

Since taking over at Wrexham, McElhenney and fellow Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds have turned the north Wales club into one of the biggest stories in British football.

The actor responded to Kelce’s comments on social media, writing: ‘Yes, incredibly wrong. I should show you around someday. I might know a few people. See for yourself.’

The brothers seem open to the idea. Shortly after, the official New Heights account on X wrote: ‘Outta the House: Wrexham Edition?’ Outta the House is a common segment on the show.

Kelce was discussing the new Chiefs signing, ex-Wales rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit 

Travis Kelce spoke of his respect for Rees-Zammit for changing careers at age 23

The two brothers also discussed soccer on this week’s podcast, with Jason insisting that watching Lionel Messi play for Inter Miami is not the same as seeing him in Europe or with the Argentina national team.

Messi lit up Arrowhead Stadium in Inter Miami’s win over Sporting Kansas City over the weekend but Jason said: ‘It’s not the same being in the MLS… I’m not sh****ng on the MLS. 

He added: ‘I’m saying it’s not international soccer. When you think of soccer, I know there’s all these wonderful clubs overseas, there’s the MLS, I think of the World Cup, that’s all I’m saying. It’s international play and then everything else.’

‘You see one person on the biggest stage possible, with the biggest team in history,’ he explained. ‘This is the best soccer player at the World Cup. That’s different than seeing Lionel Messi tearing it up in Kansas City, just saying.’

While his older brother raved about international competitions, three-time Super Bowl champion Travis insisted ‘it’s all about the Premier League.’ Wrexham, meanwhile, was recently promoted to League One – the third tier of soccer in the UK. 

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nfl/article-13325751/Travis-Jason-Kelce-road-trip-WREXHAM-Rob-McElhenney-trolls-NFL.html

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Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/apr/19/olyroos-australia-indonesia-paris-olympics-qualification-defeat-match-report

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MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was beaming with pride after his team dug deep for long periods on Wednesday to keep Manchester City at bay and squeeze past them on penalties into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

“I love it when a team gives their all and sacrifices everything in big games like this one,” he said after a pulsating two-legged quarter-final that ended 4-4 on aggregate before the Spanish side triumphed 4-3 in a penalty shootout.

It was sweet revenge for Real Madrid, who were thrashed 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium in their exit from the Champions League at the semi-final stage last year.

“I believe that there was no other way to beat Manchester City here. I’m proud of what we did,” added Ancelotti, who paced nervously up and down the touchline during the shootout until defender Antonio Ruediger scored the winning kick.

“By the time the penalty shootout came, we were totally convinced we’d go through. You work, sacrifice and win however you can.

“We defended really, really well tonight. This was about survival. Madrid is a club based on always fighting to stay in situations where there seems to be no way out – but we always find a way.”

Ancelotti said his counterpart, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, had been generous in defeat despite the frustration of seeing his team dominate possession but fail to win in Wednesday’s second leg 1-1 draw.

“Pep Guardiola is a gentleman, always has been. He congratulated us, wished us good luck and that’s what a real gent does,” he said.

‘MAGICAL NIGHTS’

After taking an early lead, Ancelotti’s men were pressed back throughout the game, conceding late on but then hanging on through extra time until the penalties.

“We started well and scored in the beginning but the game changed, they pressured us and our plan was not to defend that deep but it’s a big game and you need to fight.

“We have seen Real Madrid do this many times before, a club that brings something out that nobody thought we would have.”

Real Madrid’s English midfielder Jude Bellingham was exhausted but elated after their defensive masterclass.

“You put so much into the game. I’ve played against City before and they snatch it away from you. I was pretty much dead on my feet at the end,” he said.

“It’s so difficult. They are continuously probing with the ball and move you around. Most teams would fall apart when City get on top of you but we stood up really well … Today it came down to mentality. It’s beautiful. My brother is here today, the first time he’s seen me play for Madrid.”

Real Madrid captain Nacho echoed his boss’ pride.

“We are not used to play defensively like we did today, usually it’s the other way around. But to play here at this stadium and against this great team requires making sacrifices and today we put in an incredible defensive performance that we should be proud of,” he said.

“We’ve suffered a lot because City are a very strong team that put you against the ropes, but we are Real Madrid and we fought until the end, what matters is that we are in the semi-finals. These are magical nights and I have goose bumps. It’s one of those ones you dream of as a child.”

(Reporting by Andrew Cawthorne in Manchester, Fernando Kallas in Madrid; Writing by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Toby Davis)

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2024/04/18/soccer-ancelotti-proud-as-real-madrid-dig-deep-for-revenge-in-manchester

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MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was their penalty shootout hero as they beat Manchester City on Wednesday to reach the Champions League semi-finals but he said his save from Bernardo Silva’s spot-kick was down to pure luck.

Real midfielder Federico Valverde was named UEFA’s man-of-the-match, but Lunin had made a strong case to be handed the award after making two saves in their 4-3 shootout win after an inspired performance as they drew their quarter-final second leg 1-1.

Silva’s penalty was struck tamely straight down the middle of the goal but Lunin said that a decision taken before the shootout with Real’s coaches enabled him to make what turned out to be an easy save.

“I needed to take a risk with one of the kicks, we picked one (to stay in the middle) and thank goodness it worked out in our favour,” Lunin told Movistar Plus+ with a sigh of relief.

“It’s an away Champions League game and we went through a lot of suffering… but I’m very grateful to the team for everything they’ve fought for. I can’t imagine myself running like my team mates did today.”

The 25-year-old Ukraine keeper was forced to wait for his chance at Real, having been behind Belgium star Thibaut Courtois in the pecking order.

Before this season, he had made only nine Spanish league appearances for the club since signing from Zorya Luhansk in 2018.

He spent his first two seasons in Spain on loan at Leganes, Valladolid and Oviedo, but after Courtois tore his ACL earlier this season, he was given the chance to battle for a starting spot with Kepa Arrizabalaga, who had been signed on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea.

Lunin eventually asserted himself as first choice and his performance on Wednesday will have gone a long way towards proving to fans and pundits that he deserved his chance.

“There are games that you have to suffer, that you have to overcome the challenges, that you can’t always play with the ball and be the best team on the pitch. Tonight was like that,” Lunin said.

“For me it has been a great experience. I’m exhausted, it’s the first time in my career that I play a game like this, 120 minutes, penalties, the pressure and the responsibility. It’s hard to explain the feeling.”

(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Toby Davis)

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2024/04/18/soccer-silva-penalty-save-down-to-pure-luck-says-real-keeper-lunin

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