Lower-league clubs could BOYCOTT the FA Cup in fury after the Premier League and The FA agreed to scrap replays in the hallowed tournament

Furious lower-league clubs have raised the prospect of boycotting the FA Cup after the controversial move by the Premier League and FA to scrap replays.

Owners and fans of many sides outside the top flight have been left outraged by the move, which they say will hit them in the pocket and was made without them being consulted.

On a developing day a number of clubs came forward to make public statements decrying the cull while a series of urgent meetings were held by the EFL, who themselves claimed that the abolition of replays ‘was agreed solely between the Premier League and FA’.

Mail Sport understands that one of the options discussed was a boycott of the competition when the changes come into effect next season.

Such a move is unlikely, according to sources, but is being considered as a ‘nuclear option’. One major concern is that such a boycott could jeopardise solidarity payments from the Premier League.

Accrington chairman Andy Holt posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he ‘would support a boycott if enough clubs feel the same’.

The FA say they made the call on the back of an expansion to the Champions League which means more fixtures for those in the competition.

They added that an extra £33m received from the Premier League in exchange for the axing of replays from the First Round would go on ‘grassroots’.

In an updated statement released this morning they claimed that the EFL were consulted for ‘well over a year’ through the Professional Game Board (PGB), which consists of four EFL representatives, four from the top flight, and the FA board. ‘Removing FA Cup replays was discussed in the early meetings and all parties accepted that hey could not continue,’ read the FA statement.

EFL officials have been left furious at suggestions they were consulted on the move. While four EFL execs, including chair Rick Parry, are on the PGB which approved the new calendar they strongly refute any suggestion they were consulted. Instead, insiders say the move was presented as a ‘fait accompli’ and have disclosed that Parry raised strong objections at the meeting but was told there was little he could do.

On a day of anger, a number of clubs made their feelings clear.

Coventry City manager Mark Robins, who will lead his team to Wembley for the Cup semi-final against Manchester United, said it was a ‘kick in the teeth’ for those outside the top flight, and their role in producing players who go on to represent top teams ‘should never be underestimated or forgotten about’.

Erik ten Hag, who will face Robins in the opposite dugout, placed the blame squarely on Uefa and Fifa for their expanding fixture calendar.

‘It’s very sad for the British football culture,’ said Ten Hag. ‘But I think it is also inevitable. No one can do anything for it, it’s due to the overload in the schedule, and that’s dictated by Fifa and Uefa. There is so much overload on the players, and it has to stop.’ 

EFL clubs Cambridge United, Wigan Athletic, Newport County, Leyton Orient, Port Vale were among those to release statements expression their frustration.

‘This appears to have been a deal done behind closed doors without any meaningful consultation with clubs outside the Premier League and against the democratic spirit of the FA Cup itself,’ read Cambridge’s statement.

Orient chief executive Mark Devlin added: ‘My personal belief is that this decision has been made to accommodate an expanded Champions League fixture list, which now looks very much like a European Super League but in different clothing.’ 

Wigan, who won the Cup in 2013 three days before being relegated from the Premier League, said they were ‘dismayed’ by the decision, and that it ‘showed a total disregard for those outside the top flight’.

Each club called on the FA to review its decision and consult further with lower-league clubs.