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The Football Association has been accused of scrapping FA Cup replays for the sole benefit of English Champions League clubs after Guiseley missed out on a potential television bonanza.
The non-league side were denied the chance to take Stevenage back to West Yorkshire in the first round of the oldest World Cup after battling to a 1-1 draw at home to their League One opponents on Saturday .
With the FA controversially canceling cup replays – something it announced in April amid imminent expansion of the Champions League and other European competitions – the tie was settled by penalties. goal, which Guiseley lost 5-4.
Club chief executive James Pickles claimed a second bite of the cherry could have earned his club up to £50,000 if the match had been selected for live TV coverage.
He said: “I think replays have been removed in favor of seven clubs, if we’re all honest. No, probably not even that – probably four clubs. And there are thousands of clubs competing in the FA Cup.
Asked if he would like the FA to reconsider their decision, he said: “I would, but I think it would be difficult for them now, having had a season without replays to say: ‘We we are deceived’, and put their hands up. I don’t see them doing that.
“If you look at the leagues, it is always said that the clubs vote on matters that concern the leagues. This should probably be the case for cups as well. That seems like a simple way to look at it, rather than listening to these top four or seven clubs and following them.
Pickles said there had been “no” consultation with his club about scrapping replays and there was “no logic” in getting rid of them before the third round, when Premier teams League and Championship enter the competition.
“You can understand with the pressure (on the calendar) taking it to where the Premier League clubs join in, but imposing it on League One, League Two and non-league clubs is a bit weird really.” , he declared.
Under the new prize money structure, clubs who lose in the first round receive cash for the first time – Guiseley will receive £15,000 for their defeat on Saturday.
However, Pickles estimated that the takings from a rebroadcast would have matched this, with the potential of around £35,000 more if selected for television.
He suggested the FA should have looked at the old FA Trophy model, in which replays took place unless both clubs agreed otherwise in advance.
He added: “I think, sportingly, you have a better chance of qualifying without replays.
“What we all thought was that without that safety net of a replay for clubs in the league, you have a better chance of progressing. We thought if they had a day off, it wouldn’t There would be no second chances for them, and we felt (Stevenage) was there for us in the last five minutes.
“It’s hard to say whether the price increase makes up for it, because of course you’re not guaranteed to be able to play again. But it’s knowing that there is a chance of getting a bonus.”
